June 21, 2026
The government of Ethiopia has two primary obligations to its citizens. One, to adopt policies that lead to a continuous improvement in the standard of living of the entire population. Two, to safeguard and preserve the integrity of Ethiopia as a nation state, emphasizing the quality of Ethiopian citizenship as opposed to a so called ethnic-nationalist identity.
The vulnerabilities to the Ethiopian state, like any nation, emanate from lack of economic development of its society. Poor people become desperate people, and desperate people can be manipulated to act against the interest of their nation. Therefore, government must initiate policies and programs that significantly reduce, if not eliminate poverty, and substantially raise the wages of its citizens. A national development agenda that is inclusive of all regions and ethnicities of Ethiopia is the best method for achieving Ethiopia’s two fundamental national interests. If citizens perceive that their government is pursuing efforts to improve their lives they will respond supportively.
The creation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the GERD, is not only a singular accomplishment for Ethiopia and its people, but for all of Africa. It indicates the potential of Ethiopia to address other economic and societal challenges. It provides desperately needed electricity, not only to Ethiopia but to other nations in East Africa. While Addis Ababa has been transformed over the last decade, other regions of Ethiopia require the same attention and infusions of infrastructure. Agriculture has vastly improved, especially in wheat production, through farm collectives and the expanded use of irrigation. Manufacturing has increased, but Ethiopia, like every nation who desires to achieve economic sovereignty, requires a robust indigenous manufacturing sector.
Ethiopian diaspora correctly supported the government of Abiy Ahmed in its two year war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). If this regime-change war initiated by the TPLF had been successful, the nation of Ethiopia would have been destroyed, leaving behind warring ethnic fiefdoms. Victory by the government of Ethiopia was existential. Following the peace agreement, Ethiopian diaspora in the U.S., with the vast majority of their allies, have lined up in support of one or another of ethnic nationalist groups, who are once again involved in regime change.
Watch my thirty minute discussion above, to understand the best approach for Ethiopia to realize its true national interests
Read below, my previous posts on this topic.
Completed Ethiopia Dam-GERD Can Power East African Nations
GERD: Utilizing the Blue Nile to Create Energy for Development in Ethiopia & The Horn of Africa
Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica