opinion
Not few people consider Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s resignation as going against the ongoing development process of the democratic system. They also do not believe that his resignation is the outcome of the deep renewal process member parties of the ruling party Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) undertook, where they have identified executive leadership failure as the source of the turmoil in the country, especially over the past two-three years. [
EPRDF has already created a demanding society and an active economy where the day to day challenges are becoming enormous. And this demanding society is of course in need of strong and capable leadership. It needs astute leaders at all levels as well.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who is also Chairman of his party, EPRDF, recently said that he has tendered his resignation both to his Prime Minister position and the Chairman of the ruling coalition following a political crisis, and a lingering unrest in this exemplary country that is credited by many as a nation with capacity to bring about peace in the Horn. The Premier, in his announcement, stressed that “I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy in the nation.”
Though not assumed at top leadership position, leadership in Ethiopia in general is said to have gaps in many respects. One of the areas often suggested is lack of leadership competence. Significant number of the political leadership posts at various government institutions are criticized to have been led by unfit leaders. The ruling party has also confirmed this fact and that is why it is taking deep renewal and leadership reforms.
The EPRDF over the last 27 years undoubtedly has created demanding society and have shown enough economic progress in the nation to ignite a light of hope to many. But there are also many more issues which call for further consideration.
For instance, grievances of the public in terms of power abuse, and subsequent loss of leadership trust at various levels are the notable ones. There is also a wrong thinking on the side of some leaders that they have no aim of serving rather they tend to be served by misusing the authority entrusted to them from the public. Viewing Leadership as a public service, which is an ethical and moral value of leadership, is eroded from the minds of some leaders of the nation.
The deep renewal process of the EPRDF has long evaluated that there are notable gaps in its leadership realm and leadership ethics. And the Party was calling for an urgent response in that regard, though the response seemed delayed. Even if not satisfactory, there were actions taken to adjust these gaps.
It is known that the Party has a long tradition of looking inside itself and readjusting its gaps. And it is hoped that the resignation and secession that the Party and the government are doing now on its key political figures is part of the deep renewal process.
The public at large and all pertinent bodies in the socio-economic and political realm should do their best and be part of the leadership reform process as political engagement needs to be done constructively by strengthening institutions rather than destroying them, and never through loss of life and properties damage.
And the ruling party, on its part, should take remedial actions on its leaders serving at various levels in order to come up with solutions to the public demand. And for this, the leadership succession and replacement act started by the current Premier last week is a good sign of a democratic transition, even if it was sudden and unexpected.
The democratic system that Ethiopia is following calls for highly qualified and born leaders. In this regard, the ruling party has to think of filling the leadership gap through nominating charismatic leaders who are capable enough to lead the country.