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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appears to have adopted a tightly controlled approach to media engagement, limiting his interviews to state-owned outlets in what seems to be an effort to avoid facing tough questions. With escalating conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions, and fears of renewed war in Tigray—potentially involving Eritrea—Abiy’s silence on independent platforms is drawing scrutiny.
Despite optimistic narratives from international financial institutions such as the IMF, Ethiopia’s economic outlook remains dire. The Ethiopian birr has plummeted by more than 100% against the U.S. dollar in under ten months, casting serious doubt on claims of economic growth.
Security across many parts of the country continues to deteriorate. Traveling even short distances, such as the road from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu (Debre Zeit), has become fraught with danger—highlighting the depth of the ongoing instability.
In an apparent attempt to regain public trust, the Prime Minister has resurfaced on the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. However, reports suggest the questions posed to him are pre-screened and carefully curated. Instead of addressing the country’s mounting challenges, Abiy is asked abstract questions like “What does Ethiopiawint mean to you?”—referring to the concept of Ethiopian national identity.
Daniel Kibret, one of Abiy’s top advisors on social affairs, recently claimed that the Prime Minister was brought to tears while reflecting on “Ethiopiawint”—a statement met with skepticism by many who view Abiy as increasingly disconnected from Ethiopia’s pressing realities.
Adding fuel to the fire, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, in his recent Independence Day speech, hinted that Abiy Ahmed might be serving foreign interests, effectively running what he called a “proxy government.”
As Ethiopia’s internal turmoil deepens, the Prime Minister’s retreat into controlled media spaces is unlikely to quell growing public dissatisfaction or international concern.
