By Caleb Tadesse (Dr.)
November 26, 2024
Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, has been at the center of significant controversy surrounding his leadership style, which has been characterized by extravagant projects such as the ongoing construction of a $15 billion palace. These projects, often funded through foreign loans and aid, are presented as personal triumphs and sources of national pride, despite the dire needs facing the country. This paper critically examines Abiy’s focus on high-profile projects, the ideological framework of the prosperity gospel that seems to guide his leadership decisions, and the resulting consequences for Ethiopia’s citizens. It highlights the disparity between Abiy’s grandiose visions and the pressing needs of the Ethiopian population, offering a lens through which to assess the effectiveness of his governance.
Introduction:
Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, rose to power in 2018 amid hopes for significant political reform and national reconciliation. Initially celebrated for his promise to bring peace and development to Ethiopia, his leadership has become increasingly controversial. Abiy’s tenure is marked by a complex blend of ambition, grandiose projects, and an unwavering commitment to consolidating power, which has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. At the heart of his leadership style is an ideology that combines elements of the prosperity gospel, a belief system that equates personal success with divine favor, with grandiose delusions of national transformation.
This leadership mindset has led Abiy to prioritize personal and symbolic achievements—such as the construction of a $15 billion palace—over addressing Ethiopia’s urgent needs, including poverty, hunger, and the aftermath of internal conflicts. Critics argue that his policies reflect not just a desire for personal aggrandizement, but also a nationalist agenda, often rooted in ethnic tensions and exclusionary practices. Ethnic conflicts have escalated under his leadership, particularly in the Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, while other ethnic have increasingly found themselves marginalized by a government focused on authoritarian control. The prosperity gospel mentality, grandiose visions of success, and the rising tide of nationalism and ethnic conflict have thus converged under Abiy’s leadership, creating a volatile political environment that prioritizes individual triumphs over collective well-being.
This paper will examine how Abiy Ahmed’s leadership is shaped by the influence of prosperity gospel thinking, grandiose delusions, and a deepening commitment to nationalism and authoritarianism. By understanding the interplay of these factors, we can better grasp the challenges Ethiopia faces under Abiy’s rule and the potential consequences for its future.
Abiy Ahmed’s Focus on Monumental Projects
Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly demonstrated a personal attachment to projects that elevate his status both nationally and internationally. The most prominent of these is the $15 billion Chaka Palace project, located on a 504-hectare plot in the Yeka hills of Addis Ababa. This palace is being built to surpass the collective size of landmarks such as Windsor Castle in the UK, the Forbidden City in China, and the White House in the USA. The project’s astronomical cost, nearly equivalent to Ethiopia’s entire annual budget of $14.6 billion, starkly contrasts with the severe infrastructural deficits facing the country, including dilapidated roads, insufficient healthcare, and inadequate educational facilities (Fentaw, 2024).
Abiy has treated such projects as personal achievements, using them to showcase his leadership to foreign dignitaries and esteemed guests. Despite the urgent need for resources to rebuild hospitals, schools, and roads, Abiy’s focus remains on these large-scale, often luxurious projects. Critics argue that this focus on high-profile initiatives has led to the neglect of essential infrastructure and services, exacerbating the hardships faced by millions of Ethiopians (Mekonnen, 2023). This approach, driven by a desire for personal prestige and recognition, has left many questioning Abiy’s priorities, as well as his ability to address the real problems facing the nation.
The Prosperity Gospel: A Leadership Framework
The prosperity gospel, a belief system that emphasizes personal wealth and success as signs of divine favor, appears to be a guiding principle in Abiy’s leadership. According to this ideology, success and wealth are not merely the products of hard work or economic policies but are divine rewards for faith and spiritual prosperity (Fentaw, 2024). This mindset can be seen in Abiy’s decision to prioritize projects like the Chaka Palace, which are not just expensive but also symbolic of his personal success and divine approval.
The prosperity gospel has been critiqued for its potential to breed a disconnect between leaders and the suffering of their people. Abiy’s leadership, heavily influenced by this mentality, focuses on symbolic victories—such as the construction of the palace—rather than addressing the day-to-day struggles of Ethiopians. As a result, critics argue that he is detached from the reality of Ethiopia’s poor, displaced, and hungry citizens (Mekonnen, 2023). This detachment manifests in his focus on personal glory rather than public welfare, a characteristic commonly associated with grandiose delusions in leadership.
Abiy Ahmed’s Leadership and Grandiose Delusions and Authoritarianism
Abiy Ahmed’s leadership has been increasingly likened to the unchecked authority of 18th-century monarchs, with a noticeable disregard for democratic principles and governance structures. A prime example of this authoritarian style is his refusal to allow parliamentary oversight on the financing of the Chaka Palace project. Abiy has stated that the palace is funded through his personal efforts, thereby circumventing the Ethiopian parliament and effectively excluding it from any control or review over the allocation of public funds. This approach signals a consolidation of power in the hands of one individual and an erosion of accountability, characteristics that are often seen in authoritarian regimes (Mekonnen, 2023).
The Chaka Palace project reflects Abiy’s prioritization of grandiose symbols of success over addressing the immediate and pressing needs of the Ethiopian people. His focus on such extravagant projects, which appear to enhance his personal image and stature, has led critics to describe his actions as indicative of grandiose delusions. This psychological term refers to an inflated sense of self-importance and an unrealistic view of one’s achievements and capabilities. In Abiy’s case, this delusion manifests in decisions that place more importance on symbolic triumphs and personal glorification, rather than on addressing critical issues that impact ordinary citizens.
Abiy’s decision to proceed with such an expensive and resource-draining initiative, despite Ethiopia’s overwhelming challenges—such as widespread poverty, food insecurity, and the displacement of millions due to ongoing civil conflict—suggests a leader who is disconnected from the lived realities of his people. His actions reflect a belief system that places his own personal glory and accumulation of wealth above the survival and well-being of the nation as a whole. This mindset aligns closely with the tenets of the prosperity gospel, which places emphasis on personal success as a divine reward, potentially overlooking or ignoring the suffering of the wider population.
Further evidence of Abiy’s authoritarian style can be seen in his broader approach to leadership, which centers on his personal vision and control, sidelining collective decision-making processes. Proposals for the creation of an entirely new city in his home region of Oromia, which would involve the forced displacement of non-Oromo ethnic groups, have raised serious concerns about the increasing marginalization of certain populations. Additionally, the construction of a $4 billion palace by the Oromia regional government in Addis Ababa further underscores the emphasis on lavish projects, which seem to take precedence over the urgent needs of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable communities. These decisions highlight a disturbing trend: the prioritization of opulent, symbolic projects over tangible, life-improving initiatives for the citizens of Ethiopia
The Disconnect Between Abiy’s Vision and the Reality of Ethiopia’s Needs
The stark contrast between Abiy’s lavish palace project and the critical needs of the Ethiopian population highlights a fundamental disconnection between his vision and the daily realities faced by his citizens. As of 2020, Ethiopia’s poverty rates remain high, with more than 70% of the population employed in the agricultural sector and a per capita income of just $1,020. Access to basic services such as clean water is limited, with only 12.58% of the population having access in 2020 (Fentaw, 2024). Furthermore, more than 25 million Ethiopians rely on food aid, and millions are displaced due to ongoing conflicts. Despite these pressing needs, Abiy’s government continues to allocate significant resources to projects that have little direct impact on the welfare of the population.
The construction of the Chaka Palace, as well as other extravagant projects, exemplifies a leadership approach that prioritizes personal success over national welfare. Critics argue that the resources devoted to such endeavors could be better spent on rebuilding the war-torn economy, improving healthcare and education, or addressing Ethiopia’s food insecurity crisis (Mekonnen, 2023). Instead of using these funds for infrastructure projects that would directly benefit the people, Abiy’s government seems to be investing in symbols of grandeur that serve to elevate his personal image while the country struggles with poverty and displacement.
The Economic Impact and the Prosperity Gospel Mindset
The prosperity gospel mentality is not just a spiritual belief system but also has practical implications for governance. By prioritizing personal glory over national well-being, Abiy’s leadership style has contributed to the erosion of public trust and the misallocation of resources. Ethiopia’s economic crisis, worsened by internal conflict and inflation rates soaring to 38% annually, reflects the failure of governance to address systemic issues. Abiy’s focus on monument-building, rather than economic revitalization, has further deepened the country’s fiscal instability (Fentaw, 2024).
Conclusion: The Need for Pragmatic Leadership
Ethiopia’s current challenges demand a leader who can provide pragmatic solutions to the country’s pressing issues. While personal prosperity may be a motivating factor for Abiy, the nation’s reality requires leadership that places collective well-being above individual success.
Abiy’s focus on personal grandeur, the ongoing construction of the $15 billion Chaka Palace, as well as other extravagant projects, highlights the dangers of leadership driven by the prosperity gospel mindset. This ideology, while offering personal rewards, has led to a governance style that is disconnected from the realities of poverty, food insecurity, and displacement. Ethiopia’s citizens deserve a leader who will prioritize their needs over personal gain and work towards creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
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