Since his rise to power in 2018, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made the term “Medemer” (መደመር) central to his political discourse and national reform agenda. Meaning “addition” or “synergy” in Amharic, Medemer is often presented as a vision for uniting Ethiopia’s diverse society and healing its historical wounds. But while its message of inclusion and cooperation resonates with many, Medemer's practical meaning and consistency remain in question. This essay examines whether Medemer constitutes a coherent philosophical ideology or whether it functions primarily as a flexible political slogan. Drawing on academic analyses, Abiy's own writings, and Ethiopia's political experience, this essay argues that Medemer is more of a rhetorical and pragmatic political tool than a fully formed ideology.
1. Origins and Conceptual Definition of Medemer
The concept of Medemer was formally introduced in Abiy Ahmed’s 2019 book Medemer (Amharic version), where he outlines it as a “new philosophy” for national reconciliation, unity, and development. According to Abiy, Medemer is "a call for collective agency, mutual respect, forgiveness, and shared destiny" (Abiy, 2019). It aims to replace the divisive ethnic politics institutionalised under Ethiopia’s 1995 Constitution with a culture of cooperation and mutual understanding.
The term broadly encapsulates:
Unity over division
Synergy over competition
Patriotism over parochialism
Forgiveness and reconciliation
This messaging aligns with African communalist philosophies like Ubuntu, emphasising interdependence and collective identity (Mbiti, 1969).
2. Medemer as a Political Philosophy
At face value, Medemer offers a normative framework for governance, built on ethical values and national solidarity. In his book and public speeches, Abiy situates Medemer within a spiritual and historical context, drawing on Abrahamic religions, Ethiopian history, and African wisdom. The core principles he articulates include:
Inclusivity: Bringing different ethnic and political groups to the table
Tolerance: Promoting civil discourse and non-violence
Developmental State Model: Advocating modernisation through collective action
However, critics point out that while Medemer claims philosophical depth, it lacks the theoretical rigour of traditional ideologies like liberalism, socialism, or federalism. As Yared Legesse (2021) argues, Medemer lacks a systematic framework or clearly defined policy program, and is better described as a personal political ethic than a national ideology.
3. Medemer in Practice: Contradictions and Criticisms
Despite its idealistic tone, the practical implementation of Medemer reveals profound contradictions. Abiy’s administration has faced criticism for:
Suppressing dissenting voices: Opposition leaders and journalists have been detained, contradicting the message of inclusiveness (Amnesty International, 2020).
Militarised conflict: The war in Tigray, which began in November 2020, led to mass atrocities and a humanitarian crisis, casting doubt on the government’s commitment to peace and synergy (HRW, 2021).
Centralisation of power: Critics argue that Medemer is being used to undermine federal autonomy, particularly for regions with strong ethnic identities such as Oromia and Tigray (Ayele, 2020).
These inconsistencies have led scholars like Lovise Aalen (2021) to argue that Medemer functions more as political rhetoric than a democratic ideology, designed to legitimise the centralisation of power under Abiy’s leadership.
4. Strategic Ambiguity or Coherent Philosophy?
A key feature of Medemer is its strategic ambiguity. Its broad and flexible language allows it to appeal to multiple audiences—urban elites, rural populations, reformists, and conservatives—without committing to a specific political model. As Merera Gudina (2020) notes, this vagueness makes Medemer a convenient "floating signifier" that is adaptable to shifting political conditions but is hard to implement with accountability.
Moreover, Medemer lacks the institutional backing or civic education to become a mass movement or governing doctrine. Unlike ideologies like Pan-Africanism or Marxism that were anchored in grassroots mobilisation and intellectual schools, Medemer is closely tied to one individual—Abiy Ahmed—and risks fading with his exit from power
5. Conclusion: A Vision, Not Yet an Ideology
In conclusion, Medemer is best understood as a visionary political narrative rather than a developed philosophical ideology. While it incorporates valuable principles such as unity, synergy, and reconciliation, it lacks a coherent theoretical foundation, institutional support, and consistent application. The contradictions between Abiy’s Medemer rhetoric and his administration's actions further weaken its ideological status.
For Medemer to evolve into a durable philosophy, it would require:
Democratic institutionalization
Open public discourse and critique
Consistent policy application
Ownership beyond one political leader
Until then, Medemer remains a political tool—aspirational in language but ambiguous in practice.
References
Abiy Ahmed. (2019). Medemer. Addis Ababa: Medemer Printing.
Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy. London: Heinemann.
Ayele, Z. A. (2020). “Ethiopia's Transition: In Search of a Common Ground.” Addis Standard.
Legesse, Yared. (2021). “Medemer: Philosophy or Propaganda?” Ethiopian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 13(1).
Amnesty International. (2020). “Ethiopia: Authorities must end mass arbitrary arrests of Tigrayans.”
Human Rights Watch. (2021). Ethiopia: Tigray Conflict Causes Humanitarian Disaster.
Aalen, L. (2021). “Ethiopia’s Political Reform Under Abiy Ahmed: Ethnic Federalism and the Return to Authoritarianism.” Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
Gudina, Merera. (2020). Federalism and the Challenges of Nation-Building in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University.
No comments:
Post a Comment