A Legacy of Suffering for the Amhara

Since the reign of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia has experienced significant political upheaval, marked by different regimes and leaders, some of whom are widely criticized for their failures, authoritarianism, or disastrous policies. Here’s an overview of some of Ethiopia’s worst leaders post-Haile Selassie:

Teferi Benti (1974–1977)

• Background: Teferi Benti was one of the initial leaders of the Derg after the fall of Haile Selassie. He briefly served as the head of state before Mengistu Haile Mariam consolidated power.
• Worst Aspects:
  • Weak Leadership: Benti was a figurehead with little actual power. His inability to stabilize the country, combined with the internal divisions of the Derg, contributed to the instability that followed. His government was seen as ineffective, and he was eventually removed from office in a coup orchestrated by Mengistu.

Mengistu Haile Mariam (1974–1991)

• Background: Mengistu Haile Mariam was the leader of Ethiopia following the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974. He was a key figure in the Derg, a military junta that established a Marxist-Leninist regime in Ethiopia.
• Worst Aspects:
  • Red Terror: Mengistu’s regime was notorious for the brutal repression of political opponents, including the infamous “Red Terror” campaign from 1977 to 1978. Thousands of perceived enemies, including intellectuals, students, and political rivals, were executed or disappeared.
  • Famine and Mismanagement: The regime’s policies, including forced collectivization and the diversion of resources to military spending, contributed to widespread famine, most notably the 1983–1985 famine, which killed hundreds of thousands of people.
  • Civil War: Mengistu’s government was embroiled in a protracted civil war with rebel groups, leading to further destruction and loss of life. The civil war resulted in the eventual collapse of the Derg in 1991, with Mengistu fleeing to exile in Zimbabwe.

Meles Zenawi (1991–2012)

• Background: Meles Zenawi led the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which overthrew the Derg regime in 1991. He became the prime minister in 1995 and ruled Ethiopia until his death in 2012.
• Worst Aspects:
  • Authoritarian Rule: Meles’ government is often described as highly authoritarian. Despite economic growth, it was marked by severe restrictions on political opposition, press freedom, and human rights. Opposition parties were often sidelined or crushed, and dissent was met with imprisonment and violence.
  • 2005 Election Crisis: The 2005 elections were marred by widespread allegations of fraud, and the subsequent violent crackdown on protests led to hundreds of deaths.
  • Ethnic Federalism: Meles promoted a system of ethnic federalism, which was meant to address Ethiopia’s ethnic diversity but also exacerbated ethnic divisions. Critics argue that it helped to sow the seeds of ethnic tensions and conflicts that continue to plague the country.

Hailemariam Desalegn (2012–2018)

• Background: Hailemariam Desalegn became Ethiopia’s prime minister after Meles Zenawi’s death. He was a former deputy prime minister and a member of the ruling TPLF-led EPRDF coalition.
• Worst Aspects:
  • Economic Growth with Repression: Hailemariam’s tenure saw continued economic growth but also intensified repression, especially against ethnic groups protesting the government. His administration was heavily criticized for using violence to suppress dissent, including the violent repression of the 2016–2018 protests that were primarily driven by grievances in the Oromo and Amhara regions.
  • Tensions and Violent Protests: Under his leadership, there was significant public dissatisfaction, particularly with the TPLF-dominated government’s control over political and economic resources. His inability to address growing public discontent led to his resignation in 2018, following months of protests and political instability.

Abiy Ahmed (2018–Present)

• Background: Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, following Hailemariam’s resignation. He initially won praise for his reforms, including releasing political prisoners, making peace with Eritrea, and pursuing economic liberalization. In 2019, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Abiy Ahmed’s tenure as Ethiopia’s prime minister is increasingly being viewed as one of the most controversial in the country’s modern history, and some critics argue that his leadership has caused more damage to Ethiopia than any of his predecessors, including the Derg regime under Mengistu Haile Mariam. Here’s a more detailed exploration of why many now consider Abiy Ahmed to be the worst leader Ethiopia has had since Haile Selassie, especially when looking at the long-term consequences of his decisions.

While Abiy initially earned widespread praise for his early reforms, he has since faced mounting criticism for his handling of internal conflicts, human rights abuses, and his role in deepening ethnic divisions. Here’s a breakdown of why his leadership has been disastrous for Ethiopia:

Tigray War – A Catastrophic Decision

• The Spark: Abiy Ahmed’s most damaging decision came when he ordered a military offensive in the Tigray region in November 2020. What began as a conflict between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) escalated into a full-scale war, with the Ethiopian government deploying national forces and allied troops from Eritrea to fight against Tigrayan forces. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, millions of displaced people, and widespread famine.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The war has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern African history. Reports of massacres, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and famine have come from the conflict zone. The Ethiopian government has been accused of committing war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, the destruction of vital infrastructure, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
• International Condemnation: Abiy’s government faced severe international criticism for its refusal to allow humanitarian aid into Tigray and its crackdown on journalists and human rights organizations reporting on the war. The conflict has also strained Ethiopia’s relations with key international partners, including the U.S. and European Union, and damaged Ethiopia’s image on the world stage.

Erosion of National Unity and Stability

• Ethnic Federalism: Abiy’s approach to Ethiopia’s complex ethnic landscape has failed to unite the country. His decision to push for a more centralized government, reversing the ethnic federalism established by Meles Zenawi, has contributed to a breakdown in national cohesion. Rather than fostering unity, Abiy’s policies have exacerbated ethnic tensions and violence. Ethnic groups have become more polarized, and regional autonomy has led to further fragmentation.
• Ethnic Conflicts: Under Abiy’s leadership, Ethiopia has witnessed a sharp rise in inter-ethnic violence. Massacres, land disputes, and clashes between ethnic groups (particularly between the Amhara, Oromo, and Tigrayans) have become increasingly common. The Oromo region, Abiy’s own ethnic group, has seen significant violence, both from insurgent groups and government crackdowns.
• Rise of Extremist Movements: Abiy’s failure to address ethnic and regional grievances has allowed extremist movements and militias to flourish. This includes the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and other insurgent groups that are challenging the federal government’s authority and waging violent campaigns across the country.

Destruction of Democratic Reforms and the Rule of Law

• Backtracking on Political Reforms: Initially, Abiy was hailed as a reformer. He released political prisoners, lifted some restrictions on the media, and promised to build a more democratic and open society. However, his government quickly reverted to authoritarian tactics once protests and opposition grew stronger. Political dissent is increasingly silenced through violence, imprisonment, and intimidation.
• Crackdown on Opposition: Abiy’s government has been accused of imprisoning opposition leaders, journalists, and activists who challenge the official narrative. In 2020, before the postponed elections, opposition parties were denied the chance to campaign freely, and the government used force to suppress protests in Oromia, resulting in significant casualties.
• Media and Civil Society Suppression: Under Abiy, independent media outlets have faced harassment and censorship. Journalists are frequently targeted, and the ability for civil society to operate freely has been severely limited.

Handling of the Ethiopian Elections (2021)

• Flawed Election Process: Abiy’s government held national elections in June 2021, which were initially seen as an opportunity for Ethiopia to consolidate its fragile democracy. However, the elections were marred by significant violence, allegations of fraud, and logistical challenges. Key opposition parties were unable to participate in the election freely, and widespread insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in Tigray and Oromia, meant that many people could not vote.
• Electoral Legitimacy: Many international observers and critics, including human rights organizations, questioned the legitimacy of the 2021 elections. While Abiy’s Prosperity Party claimed a sweeping victory, the violence surrounding the elections and the exclusion of certain groups undermined the democratic process.

Tensions with the International Community

• Strained Foreign Relations: Abiy’s handling of the Tigray War, along with his refusal to acknowledge international calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations, has alienated key international partners. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Ethiopia, and the EU has condemned human rights abuses. Additionally, Ethiopia’s relationship with neighboring Eritrea, while initially improved due to the peace agreement in 2018, has become increasingly problematic, as the Eritrean military’s role in the Tigray War has drawn criticism.
• Human Rights and Accountability: Abiy’s government has faced intense scrutiny for its human rights record. The failure to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable and the repression of dissent has created significant international fallout. Ethiopia’s once strong reputation as a stabilizing force in the Horn of Africa has been severely damaged.

Economic Challenges and Mismanagement

• Economic Downturn: While Abiy’s government did initiate some positive economic reforms, such as privatizing state-owned enterprises and opening up certain sectors to foreign investment, Ethiopia’s economy has faced severe setbacks. The Tigray War has devastated critical infrastructure, disrupted agricultural production, and strained the national budget. The country has also faced debt crises and inflation.
• Unfulfilled Promises: Despite early promises of economic transformation, Abiy has failed to address fundamental issues such as widespread poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The war and political instability have further hampered any long-term economic growth.

Reputation and Legacy

• From Nobel Peace Laureate to Pariah: Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his peace deal with Eritrea. However, the Tigray War and his handling of internal conflicts have tarnished his reputation. He has gone from being seen as a symbol of hope and reform to being criticized as a war criminal by some, and a divisive figure in Ethiopian politics.
• Polarizing Figure: Abiy’s leadership has polarized Ethiopian society. While he still enjoys some support among certain segments of the population, particularly in his Oromo homeland, he faces increasing opposition from nearly every other ethnic group, including the Amhara, Tigrayans, and other marginalized communities.

Abiy Ahmed’s tenure has been marked by dramatic failures on almost every front—human rights abuses, an unresolved and devastating civil war, the erosion of democratic reforms, and an inability to heal Ethiopia’s deep-rooted ethnic divisions. While other leaders, like Mengistu Haile Mariam, caused immeasurable harm to the Ethiopian people through direct violence and repression, Abiy’s handling of the Tigray War, his retreat into authoritarianism, and his failure to unite the country have arguably led to longer-term damage and a future of instability.

As a result, many now view Abiy Ahmed as the worst leader Ethiopia has had since Haile Selassie—an ironic and tragic fall from grace for someone once hailed as a beacon of hope for the country.

the Amhara people in the broader context of Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, as their plight—especially during and after the Tigray War—has been marked by significant suffering and the devaluation of their lives in both direct and indirect ways. While the war in Tigray has drawn much of the international attention, the Amhara people have also borne the brunt of violence, ethnic targeting, and human rights abuses under Abiy’s rule, particularly in the context of the conflict and the shifting political landscape that has fueled ethnic violence across Ethiopia.

Amhara People: Targeted in the Tigray War and Beyond

During the Tigray War (2020–2022), the Amhara region became deeply entangled in the conflict. The Ethiopian government, under Abiy Ahmed, employed Amhara regional forces in the fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), but this also led to Amhara people being caught in a complicated and violent geopolitical struggle. The role of the Amhara has been both as allies of the central government in the war, but also as targets of violence from the TPLF and other insurgent groups.

• Ethnic Targeting by the TPLF: As the Tigray War unfolded, the TPLF—formerly the dominant force in the Ethiopian government before Abiy Ahmed’s rise—has been accused of committing atrocities against the Amhara population. In areas like Western Tigray, Tigrayan forces carried out killings, forced displacements, and ethnic cleansing against Amhara civilians, in an attempt to exert control over contested territories. The TPLF’s actions in Western Tigray and other parts of the region are seen by many as a form of retribution against the Amhara, who were perceived as enemies or collaborators with Abiy Ahmed’s government.
• Infiltration and Control: At the same time, Amhara militia and regional forces have been accused of committing atrocities against Tigrayan civilians and other ethnic groups during the war. While the government’s official stance often pointed to the TPLF as the enemy, the situation on the ground was much more complicated, with cross-ethnic violence becoming increasingly widespread. As the Amhara forces fought alongside the Ethiopian military against the TPLF, they also became part of the violence, contributing to a vicious cycle of retribution that further marginalized vulnerable populations.

Attacks on the Amhara People by Ethnic Militias

Beyond the direct involvement in the Tigray War, the Amhara people have been subjected to targeted violence by other ethnic militias operating across Ethiopia. Abiy Ahmed’s political moves—particularly his disbanding of the EPRDF and his shift towards a more centralized government—created political instability, leading to the rise of numerous ethnic militias and insurgent groups that have fought for their own regional autonomy or political power. The Amhara region has witnessed violence from multiple sources, including:

• Oromo Militias and Insurgency: The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), an insurgent group active in the Oromia region, has been accused of launching attacks on Amhara civilians, particularly in the border areas between Oromia and Amhara. The rise of ethnic militias across the country has led to bloody conflicts between different ethnic groups, and the Amhara people have often found themselves on the receiving end of violence in these areas.
• Benishangul-Gumuz Violence: The Benishangul-Gumuz region, which borders Amhara, has also seen increasing violence, with armed groups attacking Amhara civilians. These attacks have led to significant casualties, forced displacement, and property destruction, creating a pattern of violence that seems to target Amhara communities across multiple regions.

The Political and Economic Marginalization of the Amhara

Abiy Ahmed’s reforms—particularly his dissolution of the EPRDF and the establishment of the Prosperity Party (PP)—are often seen as having undermined the political power of the Amhara ethnic group, which had previously held significant sway in the ruling coalition. The EPRDF, the political party that governed Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018, was a coalition of ethnically-based parties, and the Amhara party, the ANDM, was one of the key members.

• Loss of Political Power: With Abiy’s establishment of the Prosperity Party, which aimed to centralize power and move away from ethnic federalism, the Amhara were left with less political representation and influence. For many Amhara people, this shift meant not only a loss of political leverage but also the growing perception that they were being sidelined in the broader political landscape.
• Ethnic Federalism and Regional Power Struggles: The ethnic federalism that had been a hallmark of the EPRDF system had allowed different regions, including Amhara, to assert a degree of autonomy and political power. The shift away from this system left many Amhara feeling vulnerable to both internal ethnic divisions and the growing influence of other ethnic groups, particularly the Oromo and Tigrayans. The resulting sense of political marginalization contributed to a sense of alienation and a perception that their rights were being stripped away under Abiy’s leadership.
• Economic Hardships: The Abiy government’s handling of the economy—combined with the disruption caused by ethnic violence and the Tigray War—has severely impacted the Amhara region economically. The government’s inability to stabilize the country and address poverty and inequality has left many Amhara people struggling with high unemployment, poverty, and a lack of basic services. Meanwhile, the internal displacement caused by ethnic conflict has led to even further impoverishment.

Abiy’s Response to Amhara Grievances

Despite the scale of the violence and human rights abuses, Abiy Ahmed’s government has often been accused of failing to adequately protect the Amhara people or address their grievances. This is particularly evident in his handling of ethnic violence in regions like Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz, where Amhara civilians have been victimized by militia groups without significant intervention from federal security forces.

• Failure to Ensure Security: Critics argue that Abiy’s administration has failed to adequately protect vulnerable ethnic groups, including the Amhara, from militia attacks or inter-ethnic violence. While the Ethiopian government has often presented itself as the protector of national unity, its actions—or lack thereof—have shown an inability or unwillingness to prevent violence against certain communities.
• Inconsistent Accountability: The government has been reluctant to hold individuals or armed groups accountable for the violence against Amhara civilians. Despite growing evidence of widespread human rights abuses, there has been little transparency or justice. The Ethiopian government’s selective responses to violence—sometimes downplaying atrocities or accusing others of instigating violence—has deepened distrust among the Amhara and other ethnic groups.

The Broader Implications for Ethiopia

Abiy Ahmed’s tenure has been marked by dramatic failures on almost every front—human rights abuses, an unresolved and devastating civil war, the erosion of democratic reforms, and an inability to heal Ethiopia’s deep-rooted ethnic divisions. While other leaders, like Mengistu Haile Mariam, caused immeasurable harm to the Ethiopian people through direct violence and repression, Abiy’s handling of the Tigray War, his retreat into authoritarianism, and his failure to unite the country have arguably led to longer-term damage and a future of instability.

As a result, many now view Abiy Ahmed as the worst leader Ethiopia has had since Haile Selassie—an ironic and tragic fall from grace for someone once hailed as a beacon of hope for the country.

The Amhara people have faced tremendous challenges under Abiy’s rule. Their suffering, particularly in the context of the Tigray War and the violence of ethnic militias, highlights a broader pattern of instability, marginalization, and the erosion of human rights across Ethiopia. Abiy’s policies, while aimed at uniting the country, have often resulted in the deepening of ethnic divides, leaving vulnerable populations like the Amhara to bear the brunt of violence, displacement, and political disenfranchisement.

The devaluation of life—as you put it—has become a disturbing feature of Abiy’s leadership. In the quest for power, his government has often ignored the plight of ordinary Ethiopians, particularly those who are marginalized or caught in the crossfire of Ethiopia’s ethnic conflicts. The Amhara are not alone in their suffering, but their situation underscores a troubling trend in Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, where power, control, and the suppression of opposition seem to take precedence over the lives of those he governs.

Conclusion: 

Under Abiy Ahmed, the lives of ordinary Ethiopians seem to have been sacrificed for the preservation of political power, and the country’s future has been severely undermined by his decisions. The devaluation of human life in the face of mass killings, the destruction of entire regions, and the erosion of democratic institutions paints a grim picture of his leadership. Where he once stood as a symbol of hope and reconciliation, Abiy is increasingly viewed as a leader who placed his own survival above the welfare of the Ethiopian people.

In the eyes of many, the indifference to human suffering and the drive to maintain power at any cost makes Abiy Ahmed one of the most destructive leaders in Ethiopia’s modern history, eclipsing even some of the most infamous figures of the past.

Under Abiy Ahmed’s rule, the Amhara people have experienced immense suffering, from direct violence and ethnic targeting to political marginalization and economic hardship. The failure of the Ethiopian government to protect them, coupled with the broader human rights abuses that have plagued the country, paints a picture of a leadership more concerned with preserving its power than with ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. For the Amhara, as well as other marginalized groups, the consequences of Abiy’s rule may be felt for generations to come.