Thread by @althecat

Speaking as ferengi (perhaps a disqualification) IMO this is observably false.

@AbiyAhmedAli may not be perfect but he has played an extremely effective role in the liberation of Ethiopia in extremely difficult circumstances.

https://twitter.com/AlemayehuGK/status/1512530459758141440

Politics is an inherently difficult art. Especially within a genuine democratic framework. Because it requires collective decision making it is an “art of compromise” and it is often also said that it is the “art of the possible”.

This very famous and very old quote encapsulates the dilemma.

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.
- John Lydgate

This quote is 700+ years old and remains as true now as it was in the 14th C. Democracy and plurality in government has not in any real sense changed it, but rather has just made the exercise of politics more difficult technically because all citizens are now involved directly.

Addressing each of the criticisms/charges in this tweet….

“ -gross incompetence”

A leader is rightly held responsible for all that happens within a state. But as perfection is impossible leaders are generally judged objectively based on their achievements.

PM Abiy Ahmed Ali came to power after 30 years of authoritarian rule under the TPLF, a rule which was built upon a framework of “divide and rule”. The constitution of Ethiopia intentionally divided the country and its people, putting regions and ethnicities against one another.

When @AbiyAhmedAli assumed power he was under attack from the previous order, one which is legendary for dirty tricks including false flag bombings, assassination, and all manner of other methods of division built on a ruthless internal discipline and lethal control structure.

In the years since he has led first a transitional govt. and now Ethiopia’s first Democratically elected Govt which:

- sought to make peace with TPLF
- defeated the TPLF after a treacherous surprise attack
- continued to build the GERD
- held elections
….

… and which has (to date) successfully countered an international diplomatic offensive against it by TPLF cadres who are deeply embedded in the international order power structure, and TPLF’s former partners/friends embedded inside the U.S. admin of @POTUS @JoeBiden.

These achievements alone are sufficient to show he is the opposite of “incompetent”. It is clear that he is able to lead a large team of people effectively in a time of crisis and deliver essential, existential results and victories.

And this is his job.

“- cruel indifference to sufferings of citizens”

This is the most potent of the charges laid out in this tweet.

There is no evidence of indifference beyond the apparent absence of action in recent months in relation to ongoing TPLF and OLA attacks.

But the truth about what has happened behind the scenes since the withdrawal of TPLF forces is far from clear.

In December the international community rallied to defend TPLF. Diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire was extraordinary and backed by sanctions threats.

#s3199 was introduced by @SenatorMenendez in November and the AGOA sanctions were applied as we know in January. The threats of these sanctions are very real.

And the long term impact of #s3199 on Ethiopia if it passes is a very significant threat to the future of Ethiopia. I am guessing here that this has been the focus of the Govt, and that it is the reason that military action and support in Afar and Western Oromia has been so slow.

We also do not know what has happened behind the scenes with respect to countering the crimes committed by the TPLF in Afar and Shene in Oromia, Gumuz and Amhara.

There may well be real political and military reasons for what has happened.

“ - focus everyone's attention on shiny objects so that folks get distracted from real issues”

This criticism is unjustified IMO. Many “shiny objects” are also“victories”. From what I have seen this Govt has proven it can “walk and chew gum” extremely effectively.

Is the GERD a shiny object? Is the agricultural Renaissance in Oromia a shiny object? Is 4 billion+ trees planted a shiny object.

These plus new infrastructure in Addis and things I am doubtless unaware of are all part of what is necessary.

They plus other things like:

- The swearing in / inauguration of the Govt
- The AU summit
- the EU AU summit

Are a public representation of a proud and resilient country stepping forward on the world stage.

And these things are very important, as they show that Ethiopia - led this Govt, led by @AbiyAhmedAli - has, through all of the horrific and persistent attacks it has faced, prevailed.

/ends

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