Abstract
Ethiopia is a country of contradictions. There have been sustained, high rates of macro-economic growth and progress on development indicators, yet also persistently high levels of poverty and food insecurity. The government has strong international relations and partnerships, hosts the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, but severely restricts civil society within its borders. There is new infrastructure, improved health care and advances in access to education, amid growing discontent and mass anti-government protests. Regular elections occur, deemed by some to be credible, while opposition politicians and journalists are accused of genocide, treason and supporting terrorism. Building on several decades of research, Jon Abbink guides readers through the complexity of this dynamic and diverse country.
The book focuses upon political, economic and societal issues of the nation, and is structured chronologically, with each chapter covering one of the years during the 2004–16 period. With the exception of the ‘Introduction’, the content is drawn from the annual Africa Yearbook published by Brill. The author presents details about each year that would otherwise be difficult to locate in the literature, and highlights the key issues within these spheres. The book is an excellent resource on contemporary Ethiopia. The format allows readers to engage with events as they occurred in time, but this structure also poses some limitations. With the exception of an introductory chapter on the ‘Developmental State’, many of the themes presented are not synthesized, resulting in readers having to identify trends over time and figure out what it all means.
Politically, the chapters outline the brief rise and rapid fall of the ‘democratization process’ the ruling party outlined when it came to power in 1991. The height of political opposition representation in parliament occurred after the 2005 election (with 174 members of 547 seats), which steadily declined afterwards. By the 2015 election, not a single opposition member was in parliament. The 2004–16 period witnessed multiple shifts of power: one ethnic-based party (the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front) shifted to a coalition of regional ethnic-based parties (all affiliated with the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front), rural-urban divides became apparent with opposition parties winning most urban areas in 2005, and relations with European nations wavered while those with China strengthened. The final year covered in the book, 2016, saw the emergence of mass protest movements, followed by the initiation of the state of emergency with an assortment of repressive laws and heavy punishments. Abbink describes the shift towards an all-dominant, authoritarian and monolithic bureaucracy that became increasingly oppressive, which the author argues was facilitated by consistent and high levels of international assistance.
Abbink outlines how the heavy hand of the state in the economy offers some reasons for optimism: Ethiopia’s economy has grown remarkably, poverty has been reduced, significant foreign direct investment was attracted and the country had one of the most competent bureaucracies in Africa. Infrastructure has been a key area of public investment, from universities to railways and dams. The book outlines rising debt, population increases and the environment as critical challenges to sustaining economic growth. Abbink describes how there are few good options for providing the energy needs of the country: wood is a primary source of fuel for many Ethiopians, but its overuse has resulted in a rapid rate of deforestation; there are costly import bills for hydrocarbon fuels; and, the large-scale hydro-electric dams have been greatly contested. The objective of the book is to present an overview of these trends, which it does admirably; exploring viable alternative development pathways or options is beyond its scope.
In the book, societal change is largely viewed through the lens of politics. For example, ethnic and religious identity is spoken of in light of ethnic clashes and potential divisions within society. Civil society and independent media are presented in relation to the increasing restrictions and state control they encountered, particularly following the regulations of 2009. To these, it might be worthwhile adding emerging linguistic challenges; specifically, social shifts related to linguistic choices and the education of a generation (in parts of the country) who are unable to communicate in the federal language nor with those outside their ethno-linguistic group. Ethiopia has more than 80 languages, and lower-level (zonal) administrations were given autonomy in the new constitution (1995) to determine the most suitable language for education and administration. Thus, this is not only an issue related to education and administration of regional states but also of primary language of instruction at the community level, as some students do not extend their education beyond that point.
For undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in Ethiopia, Abbink’s book provides a detailed and accessible account of the 2004–16 period. The year-by-year chapters provide a consistent format and readers are given an opportunity to experience the events as they occurred in time. The book is an important contribution and unique resource that will be useful for diverse audiences, which is strengthened by the depth of knowledge and experience Abbink brings to it. A Decade of Ethiopia is recommended as an essential resource for anyone interested in Ethiopia.