Professionals bowing for despotism is the primary cause of lawlessness in Ethiopia

September 20, 2014

Ethiopians, particular the youth would be advised to learn from the old and insist the rule of law from all to save our people and country and the future. We must reject the old servitude model and chart new, free and transparent governance based on respect of the rule of law and individual freedom to save the next generation from antiquated regime that attracts the wrong crowed to undermine our people’s long term interests of Democracy.

by Teshome Debalke

Poor governance in Africa is often blamed on the ruling despots’ incompetency, corruptions and brutalities. In the eyes of the world Africa in general is synonymous with repression, corruption and lawlessness that comes with it.

Unfortunately every despot in Africa and elsewhere sustain its rule on foreign Aid and income from few extractive industries with the help of ‘professionals’ that facilitate the transactions.

Unlike foreign professionals that manage the funds, indigenous professionals, especially expats hired as facilitators play important role between the despots and the International Community with the least scrutiny and accountability to anyone. They lobby both side to justify the transaction to take place regardless of the merits of the project they promote and the damage it cause on the people’s rights and livelihood and the distraction on the environment.

Therefore, expat professionals are instrument to maintain the flow of fund from the international community and help sustain the status qua in the name of… They come as managers, consultant, experts, and adviser–shuttling back-and-forth between the funders and the recipient despots. They put up conferences and presentations to justify their action on behalf of the funders or the depots in the name of helping… the poor, development, resolving conflicts, empowerment on and on.

Ethiopia under the ruling despot is a classic case foreign aid sustaining repression and corruption. Every professional associated with the ruling regime or the funders in one form of another is involved because of foreign fund available in every conceivable area. For many crises that came about by the lawless regime are opportunities–conflict, poverty, underdevelopment, refugees, disease…are all but potential fund generating opportunities. As we witness for decades, what matter is the ruling despot survival and the comfort of the funders to dole more, everything else is secondary. The violations of Ethiopians’ rights under dictatorship is little concern as they continue to ignore it as many Ethiopians are killed, jailed and exiled. Read more…