European aid has transformed my country’s economy but also props up one-party rule. Let EU donors give us democracy.
September 7, 2013 (The Guardian) — To Ethiopia‘s
archaic left, which dominates the ruling party, the new euphemism for
the west is neoliberal. Compared to the jargon of bygones days –
imperialists – when Lenin and Mao were still in vogue, neoliberal sounds
decidedly wimpy. But this hardly matters to Ethiopia’s ruling party.
What it seeks is a bogeyman to tamp down rising expectations for
multiparty democracy.
To this end, plying nationalist sentiment is the easy option. And so, we
get a tale of heroes and villains in which there is a defender of
national ethos, honor and economic growth (inevitably, the ruling
party), and a foreign horde bent on subversion, domination and economic
exploitation (infallibly, the west: the neoliberals).
In this narrative, Ethiopia’s recent economic growth, amidst a global
slump, is ascribed to the stability afforded by one-party rule, as in
China – and not, as many experts are prone to point out, the generosity
of donor countries. Hence the paradox of well-intentioned European money
promoting Chinese interests in one of the more important economies in
Africa.
Aggregate aid is to the Ethiopian economy what Obama’s fiscal stimulus
was to the American economy: minus these injections, both economics
would suffer catastrophically. The theatrical blustering of the
Ethiopian government notwithstanding, donor countries have a
make-or-break power over the Ethiopa’s prosperity.
And European aid has done wonderful things in Ethiopia. Despite the
government’s ingratitude, we – the disenfranchised majority – are
grateful and appreciative. We have improved access to schools, health
facilities and roads because of donor benevolence. But an aid policy
tied only to economic and social needs is only half complete; a
comprehensive approach entails a linkage with politics.
Ideally, aid should have an impact on GDP growth. Ethiopia now ranks in
the world’s top ten fastest-growing economies, the pride of Eurocrats.
But aid should also increase trade between donor and recipient, as was
the case with US aid to Europe under the Marshall Plan. By this measure,
Europe has failed. Ethiopian trade with China has exploded, while
stagnating or shrinking with Europe. Again, China wins without lifting a
finger.
Aid should also strengthen democratic institutions. Here is where
European donors’ policy falters dramatically. The unintended consequence
of indifference to democratic accountability translates into the
subsidy and reinforcement of tyranny. The time for reassessment has
come.
After two decades of one-party rule, Ethiopia is visibly aching for
change. Even the traditionally placid Sufi Muslim community is
increasingly restless. There is clear danger of communal strife.
As a prisoner of conscience committed to peaceful transition to
democracy, I urge Europe to apply economic sanctions against Ethiopia.
What short-term pain may result will be compensated by long-term gain. A
pledge to re-engage energetically with a democratic Ethiopia would act
as a catalyst for reform.
Sanctions need to be targeted – and the continuity of basic humanitarian
aid without precondition is a moral necessity. But the EU should also
impose travel bans on Ethiopian officials implicated in human rightsviolations.
We live in an age of global expectations. Our hopes have converged in
many ways, none more so than in our democratic aspirations. The moral
imperative is for Europe to align with the reform movement in Ethiopia.
It is time to stand up for democracy.
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