Why Are Scandinavian Governments in Bed with Abiy Ahmed’s Regime?

By Taye Birru 

Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark are among the best in the world when it comes to democracy, human rights, justice, fairness, and overall wellbeing. They consistently rank at the top of major quality-of-life indexes. Their citizens are highly educated, and their levels of social trust and competence are among the highest globally. Their governments are also widely regarded as among the least corrupt in the world. Sweden awards Nobel Prize winners across many fields, while Norway awards the Nobel Peace Prize almost every year. Many will remember that the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Given all these qualities, why are nations like Sweden, Norway, and Finland seemingly “in bed with” the government of Abiy Ahmed Ali? Despite internationally respected media outlets extensively exposing the realities of Abiy’s rule, these countries continue their close relationship with his government.

For example, a recent article in The Economist titled “The Imperial Vision of Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed” warned that “the prime minister’s ambitions threaten both his country and the Horn of Africa.” Al Jazeera has reported that over 7,000 instances of conflict have occurred across Ethiopia since Abiy came to power, visualized through data points on a map. In the Amhara region alone, more than 3,200 such incidents have been recorded, and the violence is still ongoing. However, the Scandinavian countries, often regarded as the conscience of the world at the United Nations and advocates of peace, have remained largely silent. Even worse, reports suggest they are enjoying some of their strongest collaboration with Ethiopia in centuries, with the country more open to them than ever before. The question remains: Why? Let us examine two crucial points.

1. Evangelicals as Bridges Between Scandinavian Governments and Abiy Ahmed

Scandinavian countries have been engaged in missionary work in Ethiopia for over 100 years. Their efforts have been particularly strong in the central, western (such as Wollega), and southern parts of the country. They preached and taught the gospel in these regions while also playing a major role in development projects, building schools, hospitals, water wells, and much more. One of the main reasons why so many highly educated people from Wollega and surrounding areas emerged during the times of Haile Selassie and the Derg regime was the work of missionaries from Scandinavia and other countries. They provide schools in many places. These schools became opportunities for many kids to pursue formal school. 

This historical presence means that when evangelicals are close to power in Ethiopia, it creates an easier connection with influential figures in Scandinavian societies. Of course, present-day Scandinavian governments are largely secular, most are humanists and atheists. Nevertheless, these deep historical ties and past collaborations have helped facilitate the current relationship. Additionally, there are many refugees from these Ethiopian regions now living in Scandinavian countries. These individuals are actively working as bridges between the two sides.

This is not inherently bad. However, the problem arises when these connections are used to bypass or ignore what the Ethiopian government is doing, while continuing with business as usual, while the true image of the government is exposed. 

Not all but some support Abiy

Not every evangelical in Ethiopia supports Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s government. It would be a gross mistake to put them all in one box. That said, a significant number of evangelical leaders are openly supporting the government, using the Word of God as a pretext. They frequently cite verses such as in Romans 13:1-7, where the Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to pray for earthly leaders. However, praying for leaders is one thing. Using church platforms to officially endorse and legitimize a political regime is something else entirely. It amounts to active participation in the pursuit of earthly power and domination, something fundamentally at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who instructed His disciples to focus on the Kingdom of God, not worldly kingdoms.

Seeking earthly domination through the ways of the world order was never, and is not, God’s plan for true believers. Unfortunately, due to false preachers and teachers, and driven by the love of money and power, many have drifted far from biblical truth and fallen into serious error. What is even sadder is that they show no remorse or repentance, even after witnessing the destruction of millions of lives. They continue to support the very man whom much of the world now regards as having transformed from a Nobel Peace Prize laureate into one of the leading genocidaires and war mongers of the 21st century. Which is sad to see for many! 

2. Shifting Global Power Dynamics

Many agree that the world is currently experiencing a significant shift in power dynamics. Established Western nations, led by the United States, are being challenged by emerging powers such as China, India, the Gulf states, and groupings like BRICS. These actors are actively working to shape a new world order. While Africa is not playing a leading role in this global power struggle, it has become a major arena where competing powers seek influence, primarily because of its vast natural resources and raw materials. As a result, the approach adopted by many Western nations is no longer the same as it was in the past. Rather than openly confronting governments with poor human rights records or weak democratic credentials, they often pursue a more pragmatic and cooperative strategy. In an increasingly competitive global environment, maintaining influence and strategic partnerships has become a priority, even when concerns exist about the conduct or performance of certain governments.

The Scandinavian countries are not different from the rest of the Western world. They, too, have been less critical when it comes to the government of Abiy Ahmed Ali. They remained largely silent after he led the war against the Tigray forces, a conflict that many estimate resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. No one appears willing to bring this man before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Even more concerning, they have remained quiet during the ongoing conflict in the Amhara region, which has continued for nearly three years.

The government has mobilized significant military resources in the Amhara region and is reportedly carrying out frequent drone strikes that have affected farmers and civilians. Yet these incidents receive limited international attention, and few are willing to challenge the government’s actions. Meanwhile, many countries continue to conduct business with Ethiopia as though nothing significant is happening in the country.

One evidence for Scandenevians: Wellega 

Having said this, one area where the Scandinavian countries could have been expected to act differently is Wellega. Some may argue that they can overlook developments in the Amhara region, given its historical hostility toward evangelical missionary activities. However, Wellega and other parts of Oromia present a different case. The Scandinavian countries know these regions well and can clearly see the contrast between conditions under the Derg regime, the government of Meles Zenawi, and the current administration of Abiy Ahmed. Many are aware that Abiy initiated military operations in Wellega shortly after coming to power. This was one of the reasons why many protesters from Oromia wrote to the Nobel Committee, urging it not to award Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize. Their concerns, however, were not heeded. Since then, Wellega, a region known for its missionary history and evangelical tradition, has become a place marked by violence, fear, and destruction over the past seven years. These nations know what is happening. They have access to the data. Yet they have remained silent. This is true not only of the Scandinavian countries but also of Western nations more broadly, as well as other actors within the United Nations. They have not been sufficiently proactive in their efforts to stop the conflicts that have devastated Ethiopia in recent years. In part, this may be because they are constrained by the growing competition for influence and power in an increasingly multipolar world. As a result, they are failing to ask the difficult questions that need to be asked. 

Time to Speak Clearly on Ethiopia’s Ongoing Crisis

We understand the dilemma the Scandinavian nations face. On one side, they must remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly multipolar world. On the other side, they observe that other countries, such as China, have made significant progress without actively intervening in the internal affairs of other states, even in cases where governments fail or where repeated tragedies occur. As a result, they tend to prioritize their own national interests. At the same time, however, we expect more from these enlightened and highly educated societies. At the very least, they should critically question what is happening. Ethiopians are closely watching who is taking advantage of their suffering. It is time to call things by their proper name and to challenge Abiy Ahmed and his administration to stop further destabilizing the country.

Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com  

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