The Renaissance of Ethiopia – a 2014 Visit By Professor Haggai Erlich Tel Aviv University August 21, 2014 For an historian of Ethiopia a visit in 2014 is an inspiring experience. I have frequented the country as of 1970, and it looks now moving forward like never before. I spent many months in the country during the last years of Emperor Haile Sellassie. I saw Ethiopia of the imperial regime, when it had the aura of biblical time, conservative, religious, and very poor. It were years of misery but of greatexpectations. All were sure that the future will be of progress and liberty. Then came the Derg and the military dictatorship of Mangistu Haile Mariam, 1974 – 1991. I came visiting every two years or so. It were very saddening experiences. Economically the country went from bad to worst. Spiritually it went from hope to shame. Politically it went from frustrations to fearing murderous squads. Nobody dared speaking. What had used to be poor yet a happy civilization, turned into an oppressed and depressed one. I have continued to come after the 1991 fall of the Derg, and as a visiting scholar I watched the country recuperating from a disastrous trauma. Gradually Ethiopia resumed its human and happy spirit, opened to its own diversity and to the greater world. The change was not without pains and problems, but altogether it was, and it is, in the right direction. Now, twenty three years later, it seems to me that it would be proper to declare that 1991 was the first real revolution in Ethiopia’s two millennia of history. I do not want to depict a rosy picture. Ethiopia is still far from living up to its potentialities, and in all aspects. But it is definitely marching in the right direction, and in an ever quickening pace. In August 2012 the leader of the new system, Meles Zenawi, passed away. In modern times, whenever the head of the hierarchy in Ethiopia died, the whole structure he had built collapsed. As of 1991 the country has no ruler but leaderships, and it is run by institutions not by dictators. Consequently it enjoys stability, continuity, and an amazing momentum of progress. A 2014 visitor, one who knows the country, cannot but marvel. Ethiopia is practically under construction. New buildings, roads, railways, factories, shopping malls, small and big businesses, modern hotels, all sorts of shops, even traffic jams! New industrial areas, factories, busy lorries. Sights that were never part of the country. Still there is poverty around; every economic growth anywhere is accompanied by widening socio-economic gaps. It gives little comfort for the poor, but even they are by far better than their parents. The Middle class is growing fast, in both the rural and urban areas. Millions of kids go to new schools. Thirty one universities are spread all over the country, arguably at the expense of academic quality, but they do energize social and economic mobility. In one word: Ethiopia of today is not anymore that poor a place. Rather, it is a better place to be born into than most African and Middle Eastern neighboring countries. Comparing to the failing states all around her, and comparing to its own past, Ethiopia is now a land of real promise. One of the major hubs of this transformation is the Renaissance Dam built now on the Blue Nile. Upon completion, in around 2017, it is expected to supply enough electricity to move the rising economy of Ethiopia to the 21st century. But the Blue Nile, which runs 800 KM in Ethiopia, is also the main supplier of water to Egypt. Indeed Egypt depends on this river for its very life, and no wonder the people of Egypt are extremely worried. From time immemorial they have claimed exclusive ownership of the whole of the Nile River’s waters, and they built the Aswan High Dam (completed 1971) to ensure just this. Now Ethiopia builds an alternative dam. It does so in a place which both British and then American experts had recommended for the benefit of all the Nile’s riparian countries. Geographically this is the right dam in the right place, and ideally it will create a win – win situation for all, Egypt included. Yet all parties concerned have their anxieties and sensitivities. The issue is still controversial, but there is room for optimism. Egypt is now led, as of July 2013, by president Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi, who radiates courage, rationality, and sobriety. He also seems to be hopefully the man to lead Egypt out of its enormous problems. Both Ethiopia and Egypt are islands of stability in a troubled region, and they are connected by this mighty river. The dialogue between them over the new dam is not simple, but they both should and would find the way to overcome the difficulties, and help each other in building together their better future.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:12:35 +0000
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