In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

| Peer-Reviewed |

In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo

Received: 21 January 2020 Accepted: 6 March 2020 Published: 25 August 2020

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Drawing from extensive, comparative empirical data and relevant literature, this paper attempts to answer the question as to how and to what extent does pursuit of regime security explain the recent popular protests in Ethiopia. The insecurity of the regime is manifested in a state weakness, where the regime tries to gain strength but meets resistance from society; the resistance makes the regime adapt more coercive strategies for consolidation of state power which generates further resistance. This paper argues that human insecurity in Ethiopia has been mainly the result of the authoritarian nature of the state and the ruling party’s unprecedented pursuit of regime security. The author found out that the regime’s resilience seemed rooted in the strategies it has utilized in order to stay in power – namely, the quite disproportional deployment of coercive force to quash popular demand for reform; manipulations of the democratization process, and co-opting democratic institutions of the state. For the author, to address the root causes of human security problematic is essential for ensuring citizens’ prosperity and security thereby building a secure Ethiopian state.

DOI	10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
Published in	International and Public Affairs (Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2020)
Page(s)	20-27
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Regime Security, Ethiopia, State Weakness, Human Insecurity, Mass Protests

References

[1]	Jackson, R. (2010). “Regime Security” in A. Collins (ed.), Contemporary Security Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 186-200.
[2]	Kassahun, B. (2013). “Conflicts in the Horn of Africa and Implications for Regional security”, in Redie Bereketeab (ed.), The Horn of Africa intra-State and inter-State conflicts and Security, The Nordic Africa Institute Pluto Press. pp. 71-95.
[3]	Gudeta, K. (2014). “A pair of opposite security issues in the horn of Africa: human security versus regime security in Ethiopia”, International Journal of Development Research Vol. 4, Issue, 2, pp. 252-261 February 2014.
[4]	Alemayehu, F. (2009b). “Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy: A Critique”, Reporter, November 21.
[5]	Pausewang, S. (2002a). “Ethiopia: Crisis of State, Good Governance and the Reform of the Security Sector”, in T. Debiel, & A.
[6]	Melakou, T. (2007). Structural and Conjectural Constraints on the Emergence of a Civil Society/Democracy in Ethiopia, 1991-2005. PhD Thesis, University of South Africa.
[7]	Holm (2003). “Violence in Algeria: A Question of Securitization of State-Regime, Nation and Islam Alternatives”, Turkish Journal of International Relations, Vol. 2, No. 2.
[8]	Medhane T. (2004). Turning conflicts to cooperation Towards an energy – led Integration in the horn of Africa. Friedrich –Ebert-Stiftung.
[9]	Clapham, C. (1996). Africa and the International System: The Politics of state Survival. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[10]	Yong (2000). “State Security and Regime Security: President Syngman Rhee and the Insecurity Dilemma in South Korea, 1953–60” MACMILLAN PRESS LTD Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and London.
[11]	Tadjbakhsh, S. (2005). “Human Security: Concepts and Implications with an Application to Post-Intervention Challenges in Afghanistan”, Les Etudes du CERI, 117-118.
[12]	Ostergard, R. L. (2002). “Politics in the hot zone: AIDS and national security in Africa”, Third World Quarterly, 23 (2), 333-350.
[13]	Floyd, R. (2007. “Human Security and the Copenhagen School’s Securitization Approach: Conceptualizing Human Security as a Securitizing Move”. Human Security Journal, 5 (winter), 38-49.
[14]	Tadjbakhsh, S. (2009). “Human Security: Looking back before looking forward” The ICHSWA Conference Birjand, Iran November 26th 2009.
[15]	Owen, T. (2004). “The Consolation of Security: Proposal for a Threshold-Based Definition”. Security Dialogue, 35 (3), 381-387.
[16]	DFAIT. (1999). “Human Security: Safety for People in a Changing World. Ottawa. Retrieved January 2, 2018, from http://summitamericas.org/Canada/HumanSecurityenglish.htm. P. 4.
[17]	Salih, M. (2008). “Poverty and human security in Africa: the liberal peace debate” in Peace and Conﬂict in Africa”, edited by David J. Francis, published in 2008 by Zed Books Ltd, pp, 171-185.
[18]	ACLED Conflict trend report (July 2017: 3).
[19]	Abbink J. 2011. “Ethnic-based federalism and ethnicity in Ethiopia: reassessing the experiment after 20 years”, Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5:4, 596-618, DOI: 10.1080/17531055.2011.642516.
[20]	Bach, J. N. (2011). Abyotawi Democracy: Neither Revolutionary nor Democratic," Critical Review of EPRDF's Design of Revolutionary Democracy in Post-1991 Ethiopia, " Journal of Eastern African Studies, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2011, p. 641-663.
[21]	Merera G. 2011b. “Elections and democratization in Ethiopia, 1991–2010”, Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5:4, 664-680.
[22]	Markakis, J. (2011). “Ethiopia: The last two frontiers. Oxford, James Currey.
[23]	Abbink, J. 2009. “The Ethiopian Second Republic and the Fragile “Social Contract”, in Africa Spectrum, 44, 2, 3-28. ISSN: 1868-6869, p. 17.
[24]	Vaughan, S. & Tronvoll, K. 2003. “The Culture of Power in Contemporary Ethiopian Political Life”, Edita Sverige: Stockholm. P. 132.
[25]	Kassahun B. (2005). “Parliament and Dominant Party System in Ethiopia”, In M. A. Mohamed Salih (Ed.), African Parliaments: between Governance and Government (pp. 162-181). Palgrave Macmillan.
[26]	Merera, G. (2003). “The Elite and the Quest for Peace, Democracy, and Development in Ethiopia: Lessons to be Learnt”, Northeast African Studies Vol. 10, No. 2 (New Series) 2003, pp. 141–164.
[27]	Jan Záhořík (2017) Reconsidering Ethiopia’s ethnic politics in the light of the Addis Ababa Master Plan and anti-governmental protests, The Journal of the Middle East and Africa, 8:3, 257-272, DOI: 10.1080/21520844.2017.1370330.
[28]	Human Rights Watch (2017). “World report Ethiopia: events of 2016”https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country chapters/ethiopia (Para, 3), accessed on 4/5/2018.
[29]	Abbink, J. 2006. Discomﬁture of Democracy: The 2005 Election Crisis in Ethiopia and its Aftermath. African Affairs 105 (2006): 173-99.
[30]	Awol Allo. 2017. Protests, Terrorism, and Development: On Ethiopia's Perpetual State of Emergency. Yale Human Rights and Development Law Journal. Volume 19 \| Issue 1 Article 4.
[31]	International Crisis Group. 2009. “Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and its Discontents”, Africa Report no. 153, September 4. Brussels.
[32]	Haben, T. (2017). “State of Emergency: A Sign to Decayed Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia” http://www.madote.com/2017/09/state-of-emergency-sign-to-decayed.html Accessed on 5/19/2018.
[33]	Melkamu, J. (2016). Land Grabbing and Violations of Human Rights in Ethiopia, Finfinnee tribune, accessed from http://www.anywaasurvival.org/land-grabbing-and-violations-of-human-rights-in-ethiopia/. January 28, On 2/7/2018.
[34]	Urgessa (2016). “Analysis – Ethiopia’s persistent food insecurity: What went wrong?” http://addisstandard.com/analysis-ethiopias-persistent-food-insecurity-what-went-wrong/. Accessed on 9/3/2017.
[35]	Erwin, V. Veen. (2016). “Perpetuating power Ethiopia’s political settlement and the organization of security”, CRU Report, September 2016, Netherlands Institute of International Relations.
[36]	Independent Advisory Group on Country Information. Country Policy and Information Note Ethiopia: Oromos. November 2019.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. (2020). In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. International and Public Affairs, 4(2), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. Int. Public Aff. 2020, 4(2), 20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. Int Public Aff. 2020;4(2):20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11,
  author = {Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo},
  title = {In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018},
  journal = {International and Public Affairs},
  volume = {4},
  number = {2},
  pages = {20-27},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ipa.20200402.11},
  abstract = {Drawing from extensive, comparative empirical data and relevant literature, this paper attempts to answer the question as to how and to what extent does pursuit of regime security explain the recent popular protests in Ethiopia. The insecurity of the regime is manifested in a state weakness, where the regime tries to gain strength but meets resistance from society; the resistance makes the regime adapt more coercive strategies for consolidation of state power which generates further resistance. This paper argues that human insecurity in Ethiopia has been mainly the result of the authoritarian nature of the state and the ruling party’s unprecedented pursuit of regime security. The author found out that the regime’s resilience seemed rooted in the strategies it has utilized in order to stay in power – namely, the quite disproportional deployment of coercive force to quash popular demand for reform; manipulations of the democratization process, and co-opting democratic institutions of the state. For the author, to address the root causes of human security problematic is essential for ensuring citizens’ prosperity and security thereby building a secure Ethiopian state.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018
AU  - Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo
Y1  - 2020/08/25
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
T2  - International and Public Affairs
JF  - International and Public Affairs
JO  - International and Public Affairs
SP  - 20
EP  - 27
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4192
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
AB  - Drawing from extensive, comparative empirical data and relevant literature, this paper attempts to answer the question as to how and to what extent does pursuit of regime security explain the recent popular protests in Ethiopia. The insecurity of the regime is manifested in a state weakness, where the regime tries to gain strength but meets resistance from society; the resistance makes the regime adapt more coercive strategies for consolidation of state power which generates further resistance. This paper argues that human insecurity in Ethiopia has been mainly the result of the authoritarian nature of the state and the ruling party’s unprecedented pursuit of regime security. The author found out that the regime’s resilience seemed rooted in the strategies it has utilized in order to stay in power – namely, the quite disproportional deployment of coercive force to quash popular demand for reform; manipulations of the democratization process, and co-opting democratic institutions of the state. For the author, to address the root causes of human security problematic is essential for ensuring citizens’ prosperity and security thereby building a secure Ethiopian state.
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo

Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, Wolkite University, Wolkite City, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. (2020). In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. International and Public Affairs, 4(2), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. Int. Public Aff. 2020, 4(2), 20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo. In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018. Int Public Aff. 2020;4(2):20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11,
  author = {Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo},
  title = {In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018},
  journal = {International and Public Affairs},
  volume = {4},
  number = {2},
  pages = {20-27},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ipa.20200402.11},
  abstract = {Drawing from extensive, comparative empirical data and relevant literature, this paper attempts to answer the question as to how and to what extent does pursuit of regime security explain the recent popular protests in Ethiopia. The insecurity of the regime is manifested in a state weakness, where the regime tries to gain strength but meets resistance from society; the resistance makes the regime adapt more coercive strategies for consolidation of state power which generates further resistance. This paper argues that human insecurity in Ethiopia has been mainly the result of the authoritarian nature of the state and the ruling party’s unprecedented pursuit of regime security. The author found out that the regime’s resilience seemed rooted in the strategies it has utilized in order to stay in power – namely, the quite disproportional deployment of coercive force to quash popular demand for reform; manipulations of the democratization process, and co-opting democratic institutions of the state. For the author, to address the root causes of human security problematic is essential for ensuring citizens’ prosperity and security thereby building a secure Ethiopian state.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - In Search for Strength: A Regime (in) Security Facing Mass Protests in Ethiopia, 2015 to 2018
AU  - Bekalu Wachiso Gichamo
Y1  - 2020/08/25
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
T2  - International and Public Affairs
JF  - International and Public Affairs
JO  - International and Public Affairs
SP  - 20
EP  - 27
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4192
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20200402.11
AB  - Drawing from extensive, comparative empirical data and relevant literature, this paper attempts to answer the question as to how and to what extent does pursuit of regime security explain the recent popular protests in Ethiopia. The insecurity of the regime is manifested in a state weakness, where the regime tries to gain strength but meets resistance from society; the resistance makes the regime adapt more coercive strategies for consolidation of state power which generates further resistance. This paper argues that human insecurity in Ethiopia has been mainly the result of the authoritarian nature of the state and the ruling party’s unprecedented pursuit of regime security. The author found out that the regime’s resilience seemed rooted in the strategies it has utilized in order to stay in power – namely, the quite disproportional deployment of coercive force to quash popular demand for reform; manipulations of the democratization process, and co-opting democratic institutions of the state. For the author, to address the root causes of human security problematic is essential for ensuring citizens’ prosperity and security thereby building a secure Ethiopian state.
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download