Ethiopia's ruling party and the cult of personality

* Posted by Samuel Gebru on September 9, 2009 at 2:32pm
* View Samuel Gebru's blog

Ethiopia's ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), has decided not to accept the resignation request by its party chairman and the country's premier, Meles Zenawi. In a recent meeting in Addis Ababa, the EPRDF made the decision that they want Prime Minister Meles to stay on as Prime Minister for another term (2010-2015). Additionally, the decision was made that all of the party's top leaders would resign within the coming five years to bring "fresh blood" to the organization.

The EPRDF has developed a cult of personality around Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He is practically worshipped as a God amongst his fellow party members and cadres. Ethiopia's mass media, which is implicitly controlled by the Government, has turned to idolize the premier. The argument I have heard from many EPRDF members is: "If Meles is to go, we do not have anyone who is smart as him to lead the nation." The notion that no one else is as competent as Meles Zenawi to govern Ethiopia is total bullshit, for lack of a better term. Ethiopia has hundreds of capable men and women who can suitably and competently govern the country to the 21st Century as good as, if not better, than its current chief executive.

The unconditional flattery that is accorded to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is equal to that of executive "Yes-Men" in multinational corporations who will please the CEO just to retain their jobs. In Ethiopia one does not need a degree or any form of experience to land an important job. Whether it is a "civil service" position or a politically appointed position, they are filled with the same type of people who will abide by whatever order pours out of the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa.

The EPRDF has set itself up to loose a tremendous amount of credibility in the upcoming national election in 2010, where some are already predicting a horrific repeat of the 2005 tribulations which shocked Ethiopia's infant political arena. Rightfully so, opposition parties who have faithfully abided to the constitution and who have been loyal to the parliamentary process are being cheated out of the election. Hands down, the EPRDF will win in 2010. Personally I am dismayed at the fact that for the past two years the premier has constantly said he "needs" the permission of his party to resign. First of all, he is the chief executive. If he wants to leave, he can leave; it is not a matter of life or death. Secondly, Meles Zenawi's democratic credentials will be completely undermined should he follow the orders of his party members to stay on for another 5 years even if it is a "transition" period for his ruling party.

Fittingly, the Prime Minister is only 54 years old. He is, what could be considered, in his political prime. Senator Edward Kennedy of the US was 77 when he passed away. Senator John McCain was 72 running for President of the US. So by all means, age is not the factor here. But calculate that Prime Minister Meles has served as: Chairman of the EPRDF from 1983-present, Transitional President of Ethiopia from May 28, 1991-August 22, 1995 and Prime Minister of Ethiopia since August 23, 1995 until what might be October 2015. The premier has led the ruling party for about 26 years, has been at the helm of power in Ethiopia for 18 years, and if he outlives another 5 years, that will be 23 years as the leader of Ethiopia's government. However, as he mentioned himself, it is not the quantity of terms but the quality of one's administration that a leader should be evaluated on. But even on this basis we're dealing with an administration that is completely anti-transparency from the big issues like the process of Eritrea's sovereignty to the smaller issues like the shady transportation of the 4.5 million year old fossil Lucy from Ethiopia to the United States without anyone knowing. Even the so-called 10% average economic growth is only in theory since the majority of the country never see the fruits of this "outstanding achievement." Meles Zenawi's administration has done some good things for Ethiopia but equally so, some very bad things. Unfortunately, as time goes by the ruling party never learns from its mistakes and continues to build sour relationships with the Ethiopian people.

On January 24, 2008 I wrote an article, "Response to Gorfu's 'Five More Years!'," in which I mentioned that a leader who steps down from an organization after having faithfully served for a period of time demonstrates that s/he has confidence that the institution(s) will survive. It seems like I correctly predicted a 2009 summit of the EPRDF. However, more importantly though is my incorrect hope that a new Chairman and nominee for Prime Minister would be chosen. The EPRDF has failed to live up to the expectations millions of Ethiopians both within the homeland and abroad have held for it and for the nation for the past two years which was the self-desire of the Prime Minister to resign in 2010.

My next prediction: 2010 will come by. The EPRDF will win. Meles Zenawi will be Prime Minister until 2015. And we will come back to this post and ask if he will continue until 2020.

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Samuel Gebru is a student at Brandeis University in the United States.