Just finished reading this article by PM @AbiyAhmedAli.

Interesting to see that the argument in the article is informed by,& in keeping with, the long established tradition of the Ethiopian state & its successive leaders & their concept of the source of power & legitimacy.1/7

The article taps into the long held practices of Ethiopian leaders' in seeking legitimacy from the state's external backers.

If anything, it's a perfect manifestation of how the call in 70s by Ethiopia's left for the establishment of a gov't by the people remain valid. 2/7

A gov't of the people whose ultimate source & legitimacy rely in the decision of the people of Ethiopia as much as whose accountabilities are to the people of Ethiopia.

Instead, what I saw in this article is a PM reaching out to the long held tradition & appealing to the...3/7

...external sources of power & legitimacy of the state he is in charge of that he remains committed to oversee a transition to an inclusive democracy (i.e. free & fair elections) although the reality on the ground couldn't have been any further than the promises in th article.4/7

But this charm offensive works. In fact, it's what defines the relationship between Ethiopian state/its leaders with their external sources of power & legitimacy. The west want to hear/read from Ethiopian leaders that they "remain committed to democracy." In fact It's what...5/7

...gives the excuse for the west to provide reasons to their tax payers to keep financing Ethiopia.

But the question remains can PM Abiy explain to the Ethiopian people across the board on how, under his watch, Ethiopia returned back to its practices of weaponizing...6/7

the judiciary to mediate bn his party & ultimately the state, since they remain wedded, & its critics? Can he convince half the Ethiopian ppl that he IS committed to oversee a free & fair election while indicting their leaders & keeping them jailed & calling it "rule of law?" 7/7