If the killing of #HaacaaluuHundeessaa was intended to plunge the country into chaos and inter-ethnic clashes leading to bloodshed, limited success has been achieved given the lives lost and properties destroyed while the worst scenario fortunately has been aborted. 1/6
Tension, however, remains high (confrontations continue on social media) and this incident could be one of serious setbacks Dr Abiy had to face since coming to power. Consequently, vocal extremist voices on all sides trying to take center stage which is alarming 2/6
The least we need right now is a call for revenge and confrontation. It is not easy but time to pause and reflect. While all actors are responsible for their action/ inaction, the current gov’t in general & Dr Abiy in particular shoulder special duties and responsibilities. 3/6
While Dr Abiy’s contributions so far need to be recognized and appreciated, pointing out his shortcomings is also critical. This is by no means an endorsement of his blind critics from different directions. Here are 3 concrete points based on my observation so far: 4/6
The PM seems to CONSULT less and depend more on his own convictions and decisions which is obviously not helpful (ሀገሩቷ የአመካሪዎች ዳሃ አይደለችም). Another related problematic attitude is that he seems to think (at least gives impression of) he knows ‘everything’. 5/6
Yet another one is promotion of or focus on this own image which in many instances is counterproductive. One example that might illustrate above points is how he single-handedly prompted & made his own ideas presented in a form of a book to the ‘new’ ruling party's manifesto. 6/6
Leaving aside the gov’ts attempt to promote itself as agent of change striving to lay foundation for a democratic nation treating all ethnic groups on equal terms, two main groups namely, Oromo activists & Amhara nationalists stand opposite on the gov’t’s nature & intension. 1/6
The Oromo activists opposed to the gov’t consider it a neo-Neftegna regime that hijacked the Oromo struggle and hence working against the Oromo interest, while 2/6
while the Amhara nationalists are adamant that the change at the end of the day is replacement of a Tigray domination by an Oromo one (ተረኝነት) and hence the gov’t working actively against the Amara interest. These contradictory perceptions raise series of questions. 3/6