Ethiopian Review has asked scholars and prominent individuals what 10 things they would do immediately if they are elected president or prime minister of Ethiopia. The following is by Ato Sioum Gebeyehou. (Click here to read what others wrote.)
If I were the president or prime minister of Ethiopia, here are the 10 things I would do immediately:
1. Revise / amend the Constitution that genuinely serves the interests of the ENTIRE people of Ethiopia.
2. Freeze / reverse the current secret land give away, long term land lease away and the sale away of Ethiopian assets in Western Capitals.
3. Abolish the current ethnic based Kilil Administrative Map and replace it with a new modernized map of administrative and economic programs by integrating subdivisions based on geographic location, natural resources, man-made features and administrative history.
4. Establish National Reconciliation and Reconstruction Program to heal the wound of religious conflict and repair the ruptured societal relationships caused by the ongoing Kilil experimentation as well as evident and/or assumed past human rights violations.
5. Open a transparent dialogue with Eritrean people for an economic integration through confederation, federation or integration.
6. Establish a National Planning, Tracking and Monitoring Commission for developing and implementing an integrated national long term and short term programs in the four Key Results Areas of economic prosperity.
a. National Peace Creation Program
b. National Human Rights and Justice Program
c. National Democratic Governance Program
d. National Capacity Development Program
7. Design “a one stop shop” to streamline, harmonize or synchronize the wasteful and fragmented budget allocations flowing from multilateral or bilateral nations such as of USAID, UNDP or World Bank loans or grants. This will assist budget allocations based on the integrated national priority programs instead of the current independent, redundant, overlapping or for “nice to do” programs.
8. Design a Diaspora Networking and Interaction Program to attract and facilitate their active and formal participation in the rapid economic development strategy of the nation for Policy and Technical Assistance in the four Key Results Areas of their strengths
a. Introducing Good Governance Programs
b. Attracting Global Resources
c. Transferring Knowledge
d. Developing Local Resource
9. Develop a Quick Win Initiative: Corruption Eradication Program. Unleash the power of Free Press/Freedom of Expression which is the only way to fight corruption by naming and shaming those responsible for it, but equally balanced Human Rights based policy and procedures to establish guidelines to protect whistle blowers as well as to be responsible and accountable for what is being said.
10. Develop a Quick Win Initiative: Export Revenue. By catering organic Ethiopian animal products to World Market by lifting the embargo through Sound Animal Health Programs and Standardized Testing. The three Key Results Areas of Management are
a. Animal Health Management: Animal Health to Enhance Livestock Production.
b. Forage Management: Forage Management and Amelioration of Land Degradation.
c. Marketing Management: New Marketing Strategies to Maximize Export Revenue. (Ethiopia has the largest animal population in Africa)
(Sioum Gebeyehou is a civil engineer and project management consultant currently residing in California. He can be reached at [email protected])
14 thoughts on “If I were the president – Sioum Gebeyehou”
Well explained well documented proposal yet. I always new Ethiopian Diaspora has a solutions for our country unlike the current regime prorated as negative force for Ethiopia.
My Dear friend Seyoum,
I pretty much liked number 9 of the do things if you where the President. Does it also include the funds coming from UNDP and other multilateral sources?
Thank you
Really good idea.
With all due brother Sioum, one might also add to the list an 11the point: eleminating of ethiopian army or defense sector altogether, which historically engaged and fueled so much in the ethnic conflic of the masses on top of consuming lot of finit resources.
My Dear Ethiopian:
Good though. However,
There are certain things that are just like an attempt to square the circle. I do not think you can retract the Ethnic based administrative organization that is in place.
All of us have the right to wish what we want. But if we want to help our country and our peoples then let us try to see beyond our own wishes and focus on the common goal.
Nationalities have secured their right to use their own language and enrich their own culture in their locality. There is no way, in my opinion, to take that back. If you can show to Ethiopia a different way of structure that will lead to less than what has already been achieved please let us hear it.
The man with the 11th point addition is crazy. The ethiopian military is not the problem, it is the few power mongers that are the problem.
The first step should be to eradicate the fascistic and racist Tigrayan rule in Ethiopia. Meles is well on his way to declare the republic of Tigray if the going gets tough in the center for his fascist and racist rule. Almost all Tigrayans have come to the conclusion that they can not live in equality, harmony and peace within united Ethiopia. There is this issue of Amhara animosity which is widespread in Tigray. The fascist and racist TPLF leaders specially Meles Zenawi are still telling the people of Tigray that the Amharas are their enemies.The increasing Tigrayan pillage and robbery of the resources of the country is part of the definite and pre-planned move towards the Independent Republic Of Tigray. The riches looted from Ethiopia are considered enough to maintain the Tigrayan elites for many generations to come. It does not make any difference for the poor Tigrayan whether he lives in Ethiopia or free Tigray.
Great points, but you might consider adding: I will respect the will of the people even if they differ from my own.
Peace!
#3. Will bring civil war and your presedency will be consumed by it.
#3 will never ever happen! Most of the ethnic groups are happy with the existing federalism, except the intervention by Weyane in their business!
I’m ready to fight those who want to retract the existing Federalism.
Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 & 9 will also be in my agenda. Not sure about the practicality of #3 without a serious problem that could damage the country unless it is done very carefully.
You said you will revise the existing Constitution that genuinely serves the interests of the ENTIRE people of Ethiopia. What is the interest of all Ethiopians? What About people who are comfortable with with the present Constitution? Are you aware of this? If you amend it there will be a group who will cry as you are doing now.What about your modern Administrative Map? What makes it modern?What will do do if people prefer the existing one? Do not u think these all what we are talking should based on people? A
I do share the concerns of those who are critical about revision of maps and boundaries for economic reasons. But in my mind, the priority of the Government policy should be what makes sense to put food on the tables of several million of its starving people.
I fully support to the well articulated and documented #3 reccomendation. I am sure, we will find a way how to solve the “Zulu Homeland and Zulu Identity” concern once hunger is eradicated.
I am with you in most of the points including #3. It seems, you are speaking of my mind. A leader should encourage the people to respect each other ethnic and language. But if there is still a boundary between ethnics, the idea of unity will never come true. If the states/provinces are based on ethnics and langauges, most people will never get confortable in establishing their life in other state.. but if states/provinces are not based on ethnics, everyone will belong there