Poverty in Ethiopia: A Political Lens

Poverty in Ethiopia: A Political Lens

Yimegnutal Nibret

D.Ed. Candidate in History, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

1. Background

Ethiopia holds a unique place in Africa, symbolizing resilience and historical pride. It is the only African country to successfully resist colonization and has a rich cultural heritage that includes a distinctive alphabet, numerical system, artistic traditions, and literary history. On the other hand, Ethiopia is also known negatively for its recurrent struggles with political instability, civil wars, poverty, and famine.

The country is endowed with abundant natural resources. Known as the "Water Tower" of East Africa, Ethiopia is home to twelve major river basins, including the Blue Nile, and several lakes, such as Lake Tana, the largest in the country. These water bodies offer immense potential for biodiversity, fishing, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and transportation. Yet, only about 2% of this potential has been harnessed (Arsano, 2007). In addition to its water resources, Ethiopia has vast expanses of fertile agricultural land, with approximately 60% of its area considered suitable for farming. However, only 10% of this land is currently under cultivation (Asefa, 2015).

Despite its favorable climate, fertile soil, and rich human and natural resources, Ethiopia remains one of the most impoverished nations in the world. Chronic dependence on food aid has made it one of the largest recipients of such assistance in Africa (Girma & Jacob, 1988). While natural disasters, particularly erratic weather conditions, are frequently blamed, these factors alone cannot fully be responsible for the country’s poverty. This paper argues that the root causes of Ethiopia's chronic poverty and food insecurity lie in its political systems.

2. The Political Roots of Poverty in Ethiopia: A Historical Perspective

2.1 The Pre-1974 Feudal Exploitation

For centuries, Ethiopia’s socio-political and economic systems were dominated by a deeply entrenched feudal structure, which continued until 1974. This system subjected the majority of Ethiopian peasants to severe exploitation. Land tenure arrangements forced peasants to provide much of their agricultural produce to landlords. Adding to their hardship, ineffective and harmful government policies further marginalized rural populations, while wars and political instability frequently disrupted agricultural activities, leading to recurring famines and droughts.

Feudalism divided Ethiopian society into distinct social classes. The upper class included the emperor, regional warlords, and local administrators. This upper class owned political and economic power including the majority of the land and resources. Landless peasants formed the bulk of the population, while a small number of landowners suffered from heavy tribute payments. The excessive demands of the ruling class combined with poor governance and political instability, prevented peasants from producing and accumulating resources (Bonger, 1992).

The imperial armies, often composed of neither professional nor salaried forces, relied on plundering peasants for their daily consumptions and resources during times of lawlessness. This exploitation left peasants with the burden of feeding imperial troops, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of recurrent drought and famine. The resulting acute food shortages were a recurring consequence of these exploitative practices, with ruling regimes often neglecting the human suffering that followed, further entrenching poverty. A striking example of this neglect is the famine of 1973, during which millions of peasants starved due to unequal land distribution and the inadequate response of the government (Araya, 1983).

2.2 The Derg Era: Reform and Turmoil

The 1974 Ethiopian Revolution marked the end of Haile Selassie’s monarchy, replacing it with the military government known as the Derg. Although the Derg outlawed the feudal system and introduced a series of socio-economic reforms including land redistribution, its reforms failed to address the structural roots of poverty. Authoritarian rule, political instability, and prolonged civil wars hindered development efforts.

From its onset, the Derg faced serious resistance from ethnic-based insurgent groups, including the TPLF and EPLF. The regime responded with repressive measures, which only intensified the insurgencies. As resources were diverted to military spending, economic progress was hindered. Agricultural activities were disrupted by frequent wars, and ideological clashes with foreign aid organizations hindered the delivery of food and other humanitarian assistance to famine-stricken populations.

Keller (1992) describes how the Derg used famine as a military strategy, deliberately cutting off food supplies to rebel-held regions in northern Ethiopia. This tactic worsened famine conditions and showed the regime’s disregard for human suffering. The government also attempted to weaken rebel support through forced resettlement programs. These initiatives relocated peasants to unprepared areas lacking basic infrastructure such as clinics, schools, and water systems. All these government actions were responsible for undermining agricultural productivity and economic progress (Ottaway, 1986).

Shortly, Ethiopia’s poverty intensified during the Derg era due to the combined effects of internal rebellion, external conflict, and government mismanagement. Internally, the regime faced numerous separatist movements, while externally, the Ogaden War of 1977–1978 further drained resources. By the 1980s, Ethiopia was plagued by severe famine, with the scale of human suffering shocking the global community. As (Erlich, 2001) observes, the famine of 1982–1983 was not solely a result of drought; its roots lay in socio-political factors such as government negligence, a subsistence rural economy, and the lack of basic education and healthcare.

2.3 The Post-1991 Political Order

The fall of the Derg regime in 1991 ushered in a new political era under the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). This coalition of political organizations, primarily defined by linguistic and ethnic identities, was dominated by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which controlled economic, political, and military power. The EPRDF implemented ethnic federalism as the foundation of governance, formalized in the 1995 constitution that declared Ethiopia a federal state. While promising self-determination and decentralization, this approach contributed to poverty, internal conflicts, and underdevelopment.

Intra-state and inter-state conflicts, authoritarian rule, and corruption were some of the contributing factors to Ethiopia’s poverty during this period. One of the most devastating political events was the Ethio-Eritrean War. Triggered by border disputes and political tensions, the war claimed over 100,000 lives, displaced thousands, and froze foreign aid and investment (Prendergast, 2001). The conflict inflicted significant human and economic costs on both countries. Ethiopia’s already fragile economy suffered from the diversion of resources to military activities, which in turn delayed development and exacerbated poverty.

The EPRDF’s ethnic federalism institutionalized divisions among Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. The 1995 constitution, which divided the country into ethnically defined regions, encouraged the formation of political parties along ethnic lines (Bekalu, 2018). This framework fostered mistrust, unnecessary competition, and antagonism among ethnic communities, eroding national unity. This condition in turn facilitated inter-ethnic conflicts, ethnic cleansing, and forced evictions of societies. These socio-political conditions highly affected the economic system. The widespread displacement of people, undoubtedly, disrupted agricultural and commercial activities.

As Berhanu (2010) observes, good governance is a prerequisite for poverty alleviation. However, governance under the EPRDF was marked by authoritarian practices, weak rule of law, and limited political accountability. These shortcomings deprived citizens of access to essential services such as clean water, education, and healthcare, perpetuating poverty and inequality. Furthermore, Corruption undermined development efforts (Ibid.). From petty bribery to grand embezzlement, corruption prevailed across all levels of government bodies. This is indeed one of the most serious issues that the TPLF-led government has been criticized for.

In sum, the post-1991 political order in Ethiopia, dominated by the EPRDF, failed to address the root causes of poverty. Political instability, inter-ethnic conflicts, systemic corruption, and ineffective governance eroded the potential for meaningful progress, leaving millions of Ethiopians trapped in cycles of poverty and insecurity.

3. Ethiopia as a Cup of Trembling: The Current State of Affairs

The EPRDF ceased in 2018, replaced by the Prosperity Party (PP) under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The new regime promised several reforms. However, the anticipated transition to peace, progress, and stability has not been materialized. Ethiopia is at a crossroads. The PP is leading the country into a state of political, social, and economic turmoil. Ethnic tensions, armed conflicts, and widespread governance challenges have deepened the rate of poverty.

The transition from EPRDF to PP governance has not resolved Ethiopia's deep-rooted problems. The Tigray War, which erupted in 2020, exemplifies the challenges of achieving national unity and economic prosperity. Tensions escalated after Tigray defied federal authority by holding regional elections in 2020 and attacking the national military command in the region. This was followed by a bloody conflict. The war caused immense human suffering, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and many people left in a humanitarian crisis. Although the Pretoria Accords of 2022 provided temporary relief, hostilities and unresolved tensions remain.

Simultaneously, other regions such as Oromia and Amhara face violent uprisings. Armed groups like the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Fano militias continue to challenge federal authority, putting additional pressure on the government’s capacity to maintain law and order. These armed resistances hindered the free movement of people and commercial goods, halting any meaningful economic activity and critical infrastructure projects. Moreover, skyrocketing prices, rising inflation, a widening trade deficit, and growing foreign debt have further strained the economic system (Lemma, 1985).

4. Conclusion

Ethiopia's poverty and food insecurity are deeply rooted in its political history, with the exploitation of rural populations, ineffective governance, and instability serving as the main contributors. From the feudal era through the Derg period to the EPRDF’s rule, and now under the Prosperity Party, the country has struggled to break the bondage of poverty. Despite abundant natural resources and fertile land, Ethiopia has failed to harness its potential due to poor governance, corruption, and intra-state and inter-state conflicts. The ongoing conflicts and social unrest, including the Tigray War and armed conflicts in the Oromia and Amhara regions, continue to impede progress and exacerbate the economic and humanitarian crisis. Until Ethiopia addresses the political roots of its poverty, stabilizes its governance structures, and fosters national unity, lasting solutions to its struggles remain elusive.

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Details

• Author: Yimegnutal Nibret (Author)
• Publication Year: 2024
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V1567548
• ISBN (eBook): 9783389117019
• Language: English
• Tags: Poverty Maladministration Political history