Book Review by Tadesse G. Kidan, former Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia and Senior Economic Advisor with the IMF
Dr. Aklog Birara has ably synthesized reports on the downside risks associated with Ethiopian farmland sale to foreigners, into a book adorned with his own political yarns. The book highlights the classic conflicts: modernization vs. tradition, development of virgin land vs. its degradation, betting on local wherewithal vs. seeking foreign assistance, food self-sufficiency vs. drive for exports, foreign investment-cum-involvement vs. national independence, fairness vs. the quest for profit, local sacrifice vs. national benefit, letting sleeping dogs lie vs. awakening expectations, uncertainty of political environment vs. maximization of short-term profit, amassing wealth vs. protection of the weak, etc.
In short, the book’s real value lies in its underscoring of the complex nature of the world we live in. In the case of Ethiopia, though, the situation is further complicated by the fact that the powers that be are arguably bent on maximizing their short-term gains at the expense of the long-term interest of the country, Dr. Aklog argues.
I strongly recommend that Ethiopians in the diaspora and at home as well as foreigners interested in Ethiopian affairs and well-being familiarize themselves with the issues and concerns raised in the book, as a way of reaching consensus on ways and means of tackling Ethiopia’s food self-sufficiency and environmental problems in particular and the over-arching socio-political issues in general.”
The book can be ordered directly from the author via e-mail [email protected]