Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a comprehensive televised interview, described the Pretoria Peace Accord as a historic breakthrough, noting that Ethiopia has rarely succeeded in ending internal conflicts peacefully before. In the 4th episode of his interview with EBC, the Prime Minister detailed Ethiopia’s political culture, which has been shaped by force and the pursuit of power through the barrel of a gun for several decades.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Prime Minister pinpointed an unwarranted thirst for power and a consistent refusal to accept peaceful democratic competition as reasons for the deep-seated resentment and distrust that has been perpetuated over the past decades. Against these historical backdrops, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that his administration has taken a historic step in resolving Ethiopia’s internal conflicts through the Pretoria peace deal.
The Premier underscored that the Pretoria peace accord marks an unprecedented approach to ending Ethiopia’s conflicts
, a feat that the country has rarely achieved in its history. He highlighted the Ethiopian government’s decision to prioritize peace through the Pretoria agreement, even while securing a swift military victory in the Tigray region, as a testament to its commitment.
The Prime Minister stressed that the accord underscores the historical significance of choosing dialogue over military victory, marking a rare moment where power was exercised with restraint. He stated, “The message is clear: true victory lies not just in winning wars, but in securing lasting peace.”
He further explained that the root causes of conflicts in Ethiopia primarily arise from the misguided political elites’ desire to achieve political goals through force. These elites predominantly believe that political power is gained through the barrel of a gun and misleading narratives.
However, the Prime Minister argues that conflicts will remain a challenge to achieving democratic political orders until the notion that political power can be hel
d through elections and public approval is nurtured. To this effect, he urged the country’s political elites to pursue peaceful means rather than repetitive attempts to impose their will by having complete control over everything.
PM Abiy recalled the peaceful struggle prior to 2018, stating, “When we struggle for this ongoing change, we believe that change will come through internal and peaceful struggle, and we paid dearly to bring about this reform. Because it is pretty much clear, and we know that conflict cannot achieve that change,” he elaborated.
For the Prime Minister, conflicts arising from certain groups’ unwarranted thirst for power and a political culture of self-destruction should be overturned. He emphasized that armed struggle is outdated and that genuine peace efforts like the National Dialogue Commission and Pretoria Peace Agreement are testaments to the government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace through dialogue.
Finally, the Prime Minister underscored that political power must com
e from popular legitimacy, democratic participation, and respect for the people’s choices.