In the last year in Ethiopia the current government has worked toward peace in the region. Of these reforms was stopping a recent ban the once exiled opposition political leaders and groups. These changes have been guided by new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. The "easing of state political controls" have unintentionally led to ethnic violence throughout Ethiopia but has been significantly reported in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, and surrounding regions.
Why tensions arose?
One of the groups welcomed back with this "easing" were those related to the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest of 80 ethnic groups. The Oromo Liberation Front a separatist group is among the organization being granted "all sorts of privileges" as stated by Yoseph Badwaza, an officer representing Freedom House. Freedom House is an international watchdog organization pushing for democracy worldwide.
The connection between the ethnic violence and the change in reforms directed by Abiy Ahmed is unclear. Many suggest that the once exiled groups have returned to Ethiopia and have given a "new political voice" to the ethnic groups. An example of this our the Oromo youth demonstrating in Addis Ababa by painting the colors of the separatist group's flag on buildings. Additional violence in Burayu, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Most of the more than 20 that were killed were ethnic minorities.
The government has responded to this violence by arresting and sending those in need of "rehabilitation" to camps. Some of these arrests may not have been equitable.
My Opinion
One of the essential elements of democracy is an opposing voice. While it is good that Ahmed is welcoming back those opposing views into the conversation more care and preparation needs to be sought to maintain the rights of other individuals. It seems their immediate response to arrest and send away those causing the violence may be an over correction or maybe just a move that should've been made preemptively. In the lessening of restrictions there should have been steps to prepare all sides in order to maintain proper discourse that needs to exist in a democracy that they seek.
Sources:
Ahmed, Hadra, and Joseph Goldstein. “Thousands Are Arrested in Ethiopia After Ethnic Violence.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Sept. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/09/24/world/africa/ethiopia-ethnic-violence-arrests.html. Accessed 27 Sept. 2018.
AfricaNews. “Ethiopia Govt Welcomes Leadership of Ginbot 7 Back Home.” Africanews, Africanews, 9 Sept. 2018, www.africanews.com/2018/09/09/ethiopia-govt-welcomes-leadership-of-ginbot-7-back-home/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2018.
“About Us.” Freedom House, freedomhouse.org/about-us. Accessed 1 Oct. 2018.
