Ethiopia: Conflict Dynamics Amid Sweeping Reforms Require a Peacebuilding approach

Author: Elizabeth Hume

Publisher: Alliance for Peacebuilding

Publication date: February 2020

Ethiopia is undergoing a historic political transition that has opened civic space considerably and propelled major democratic reforms.

Despite the extraordinary political transformation, there are increasing and existing conflict dynamics that threaten not only reforms but also Ethiopia's fragile stability, especially as the proposed August 2020 elections approach. There are systemic and long-standing socioeconomic development challenges that have kept Ethiopia classified high on fragile state and conflict watch lists for decades. Unfortunately, the Fund for Peace Fragile State Index reports increasing conflict dynamics in Ethiopia over the last year, may erase the positive trends that were on an upward trajectory. There is a high chance Ethiopia will be one of the most worsened states on the their index in 2020.

Despite significant achievements by the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the country is experiencing a major drought, ongoing ethnic violence and even the reversal of new political reforms. Therefore, it is critical for bilateral and multilateral donors to avoid a “business as usual” approach and adapt and provide assistance targeted towards addressing the causes of violent conflict. Significant aid, including investment in much-needed peacebuilding priorities in governance, climate resilience, trauma healing, and reconciliation, is critical to ensure Ethiopia's historic political transition is both successful and sustainable.