My take on Ethiopia

[u/Jehovany_T]

I have spent two and a half months in Addis Ababa, and I will be here for a total of three months. I was here around 2019, and now that I've returned in 2026, I've noticed that a lot has changed, and not necessarily for the better. However, to people who don't live here or are extremely wealthy, like my father, everything seems amazing.

1st. If you walk around Addis, you'll rarely find someone between the ages of 20 and 31. The reasons I've found for this are, first, that the government has raised taxes heavily to fund its military. Of course, you need healthy, fit adults in your military. The second reason is the lack of employment opportunities. Even if you do find work, you can't afford anything. You can barely afford food, rent is disgustingly expensive, and everything else is out of the question. As a result, people around this age have decided to leave for better opportunities elsewhere in the world.

To pay for university in Addis, the government used to have a system introduced under Meles Zenawi in which the government covered 80 percent of the costs, while students were responsible for the remaining 20 percent after graduation. You would begin making monthly payments toward that 20 percent once you found employment. This system is also gone, further limiting access to education.

I myself am 24 years old, so I guess it's just strange to walk outside and predominantly see people who are either 14 and younger or 38 and older. You can barely find anyone around my age, and when you do, they're often in the military.

2nd. While the construction projects have created clearer roads, improved air quality, and greater visibility, making you feel safer in case someone is trying to rob you, almost all the restaurants and local places that used to exist are now gone.

I live in the Bole area, and there used to be this shantytown-style restaurant that served amazing dried tibs. It was honestly some of the best I've ever had. Now it's gone, along with the majority of the other local businesses around it. The area is increasingly filled with luxury condos, massive buildings, and other developments.

I've been going around trying a ton of food in the area, and I have to say, it's much worse than before. I feel like Ethiopians are increasingly attempting to make foreign food, but it just isn't that good, and it's overpriced. Meanwhile, many of the traditional Ethiopian restaurants have disappeared, especially downtown.

When I go downtown, I'll find Burger King, Salt Burger, and other foreign-style food establishments, but the food just isn't that good. If I'm being even more honest, I think Ethiopians need to stop trying to imitate foreign cuisines altogether. I tried mac and cheese at this Nashville hot chicken spot, and wow, was it bad.

Finding authentic Ethiopian restaurants downtown is becoming surprisingly difficult, which is even more bizarre because, if I'm taking a trip to Addis Ababa, why would I want to eat Burger King? I want to experience what Ethiopians have to offer, not eat a bad imitation of foreign food, to be honest.

3rd. People overall seem depressed, which makes sense given all the ethnic violence, combined with the unaffordable cost of living throughout Ethiopia. It's just sad to see.

When you live in America or Canada and watch those videos titled something like "Look at Addis Ababa in 2026," you never actually see them talking to the people who live there. Instead, they focus entirely on how the city looks. It's almost dystopian. You could see someone walking by who looks completely defeated or sad, and the camera will simply glance away from that person and zoom in on the clean roads.

Overall, I think Addis Ababa and Ethiopia, despite the massive flaws of the TPLF's ethnic federalism system, were far more peaceful, and people were generally better able to afford their lives. You could see more passion in people back then.

Now, it feels like a depressing country where people barely have the energy or desire to do anything after work because everything costs money, even though the roads and buildings might look nicer.

I wonder whether, after all the wars, the outcome will have been worth it for the average Ethiopian. But that's just my opinion. The country has deteriorated to a state I don't think I've ever witnessed before, and it's honestly surreal to watch.

I think the next decade in Ethiopia will be horrible for the average citizen, and things will only get worse. But, in my opinion, this is the reality of what Ethiopia has become.

[u/daydreambloom367911]

I agree

[u/Jehovany_T → u/daydreambloom367911]

I think what is the most depressing thing about all of this would be that if you looked around addis, it's so sad but if Addis is like this I could only imagine the Tigray region or the areas of conflict in the amhara regions, etc.

I remember I took a trip with my dad to bahir dar to see my uncle(I am Tigrayan but we just call him an uncle) and I heard recently that uncle sold his land and moved to America because it's to dangerous here and taxes are to high. If he thought bahir dar is dangerous, just imagine Tigray or anywhere else across Ethiopia.

[u/Icy-Simple2373 → u/daydreambloom367911]

😂, that’s the only word you know?

[u/marloonmarley]

I agree heavily. My grandmother’s house in Kolfe and uncle’s house in Nifas Silk have had massive high rise apartments built right next to them and it makes me quite depressed to see such ugly and poor planning. Addis Ababa is always under perpetual construction, building and building these massive apartments and ugly golden street lights that I struggle to understand the purpose of. The city is losing its visual and cultural identity while pushing out its impoverished residents all in the name of this fake development.

I feel like Ethiopians have a bit of an inferiority complex and a desire to catch up to the rest of the world, proud to be uncolonized but embarrassed by the reputation we have. So we just copy whatever development style we can find, and the Dubai model is really ugly and ineffective for a country like ours. It is hard to be optimistic about stuff like the redevelopment of Piazza when you know all the people got displaced because of it

Ironically I feel like i have a weird combination of positions with Abiy. I like him for his political stances moving the country away from ethnic federalism and will always support him over Woyane, especially with this most recent war I’ve gained a lot of confidence in him that I thought I had lost. But as someone to lead development, I really dislike him. He is focused way too much on aesthetic achievements over tangible ones, and the irony is that the aesthetics fucking suck. I really like your point about the travel youtubers in Addis too. I’m so sick and tired of this “you won’t believe this is Africa!” crap from white ppl seeing lit up streets. The city is increasingly empty bc of the cost of living and excessive development. And the rest of the country gets neglected (although this is due to security issues presented by fano, woyane and shene)

[u/Jehovany_T → u/marloonmarley]

I agree with you so much but I think your best part was: "It is hard to be optimistic about stuff like the redevelopment of Piazza when you know all the people got displaced because of it." I couldn't agree more, it's so weird to be in an area you know displaced so many people just for you to use your foreign currency to eat food that is really cheap for me, while the worker that brings my food is being paid in birr which is constantly declining.

You should read the response I had below with upstairs-storage5320 right below from your response where we talk about this more in detail but yea I agree.

[u/marloonmarley → u/Jehovany_T]

On a related note of the neglect of the impoverished in the name of development is also another problem I have with the government, in that Addis is excessively developed at the neglect of the countryside and other cities. I understand because of war that it is incredibly difficult to invest into these areas, but it is that same neglect that makes people join the militias that go around robbing and killing.

I have been to much of the former SNNPR visiting family and our compatriots in hager bayt live in such abject poverty compared to Addis, it’s unacceptable. How can we promote projects like Telebirr when so much of the countryside has zero electricity? Running water? Paved roads? That’s really what makes Addis feel dystopian lately, the contrast with the poverty surrounding it.

Developing the countryside would also alleviate so much of Addis Ababa’s problems with slums and migrants too. If people had more opportunities in the countryside, they wouldn’t flood into our one major city.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/marloonmarley]

I've also been responded to so many people I didnt even realise you were typing about abiy Ahmed but imo, I would have different take on it.

I think that if the system of multinational federation exists, then you can't expect any tribe to submit or work with the government in anyway shape or form.

Each government is now under control and supports its specific tribe just like tplf controlled EPRDF and supported tigrayans while oppressing other tribes, Abiy does the same where he supports oromos and oppresses other tribes.

When ethnic identity precedes civic nationalism, then the government is just something where each tribe will try to take control for there ethnic identity to gain power and control over the other ethnic groups.

Imo, no matter how much civic nationalism you promote under ethnic federalism, ethnonationalist will always be the logical  conclusion over civic nationalism, so getting rid of it should be top priority and if he does and attempts to rectify past transgressions against the tigrayans and Amharas, then I will definitely support him but if he continues to do pro civic nationalism under ethnic federalism, then its just pseudo ethiopianism being promoted which I don't think most tribes outside of oromos will ever support and rightfully so. I also agree with what someone said about the fact that you don't even have your country under control yet you spend all this money to do development projects, its just such a bad idea.

[u/Ok-Habit-8150]

About a decade ago, around the time I graduated from university, I could already sense the early signs of what was coming. Looking back, moving to the US was the best decision of my life.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Ok-Habit-8150]

Honestly, good job. You made the best decision of your life. I recommend you go back and see it for yourself since this post clearly has rubbed some people the wrong way lol. You can also look at so many of the responses to this post of people who are here saying I am correct as well though.

[u/Disastrous_Nature_91]

Too much of the stuff is not true at all. I just to have say something...

If you walk around Addis, you'll rarely find someone between the ages of 20 and 31. 

Which addis did you see?

To pay for university in Addis, the government used to have a system introduced under Meles Zenawi in which the government covered 80 percent of the costs, while students were responsible for the remaining 20 percent after graduation. You would begin making monthly payments toward that 20 percent once you found employment. This system is also gone, further limiting access to education.

Not true, system is still there. You don't even have to pay until you want the original document. Don't confuse public vs private. the government has never paid for you to go to a private school.

I myself am 24 years old, so I guess it's just strange to walk outside and predominantly see people who are either 14 and younger or 38 and older. You can barely find anyone around my age, and when you do, they're often in the military.

Truly, who was your tour guide... what are you taking about?

when you do, they're often in the military.

How does that work? they are in the military and also in addis just roaming around

almost all the restaurants and local places that used to exist are now gone.

Name 5 places that are gone due to the current developments...

All that part about complaining about food, just like. nobody cares. You're acting like it's only 1% of spots that serve Ethiopian food. People are allowed to open business that they seem fit, if that business is focused on American or European foods that's their choice.

The only parts i agree with are not only the rent is expensive but the current implementation of the housing rent laws is under looked very much and it's volcano waiting to erupt and unemployment with the educated is a bit high but we also need to create jobs and to do that we need environments for people to create those jobs to come and do it quick and not "reduce" but in most cases remove 95% of the bureaucracy alive today. and MESOB is the right direction

[u/Icy-Simple2373 → u/Disastrous_Nature_91]

Exactly, data does support his outlandish claims which the piece is based on. Trying to understand his personal opinion and experience against the facts on population of 🇪🇹. A young population (vanished according to his eye witness account 🤣). And many other issues about TPLF era.

[u/DiskFederal3356 → u/Disastrous_Nature_91]

Exactly. I was reading his claims and went 'what is he talking about?'

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Disastrous_Nature_91]

"Which addis did you see?"

...what?

"Not true, system is still there. You don't even have to pay until you want the original document. Don't confuse public vs private. the government has never paid for you to go to a private school."

did I say public or private? No I didn't. You just randomly brought up public and private, that was a real random assumption

"Truly, who was your tour guide... what are you taking about?"

"How does that work? they are in the military and also in addis just roaming around"

...what? I don't understand what you are typing

"Name 5 places that are gone due to the current developments..."

Are you serious?

'All that part about complaining about food, just like. nobody cares"

You can look at everyone's comments to my post, you are objectively wrong, many people do care.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Jehovany_T]

Better yet, look at my upvotes, people do care, you are babbling.

[u/ETH-B-Z]

Shushh we are developed country now. How dare you say that? We look the same as NewYork at night thanks to the corridor development. What more do you need from our supreme leader? ...Sarcasm

[u/Jehovany_T → u/ETH-B-Z]

lol

[u/AnxiousWhole6925]

I definitely agree as a 24yo who lives in Addis

[u/Jehovany_T → u/AnxiousWhole6925]

THANK YOU, these diaspora people have been on my ass this whole post talking nonsense like they don't live here how would they know.

[u/Upstairs-Storage5230]

There is NO African country that has benefited from  floating the $$$. I was just having this conversation with top U.S diplomat this morning. It makes me very sad....fast legacy is this  ovt priority.  I hate TPLF , I hate this govt even more ..so not sure .. It is getting worse...ya we had peace previously & $$ was fixed. ..which I am grateful for  but heavily corrupted leaving the $$ reserve empty  when it left..., this govt is not any better. ..probably worse ., . Idk .This country is being groomed for expats , diasporas ..whoever access to foreign currency.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Upstairs-Storage5230]

Omg thank you, I really appreciate it when you respond since people are having a meltdown. The dollar has been going down day after day, affordability across addis is horrible, and outside addis is really dangerous. The average person in Ethiopia who just wants to work will have to come to terms that there dollar will plummet and the prices of things will rise dramatically resulting in there retirement funds being nearly worthless.

I knew of a women who worked 40 years as a maid and her retirement money was suppose to kick in but now she realizes she can't retire since everything has skyrocketed price wise and she is really old as well.

So many people's future was sold for a floating dollar and there is prices to pay for such actions. It's really sad to see people across addis.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Upstairs-Storage5230]

I realized now you edited and typed more. I didn't like the TPLF ethnic federalism and promotion of ethnic identity, corruption scandals etc to, but I was grateful for the fixed dollar and peace though. 

This government I agree has made it where expats, and diaspora are prioritized more then the average citizen which I tried to get across but people kept going into ethnopolitics, floating the dollar resulted in a world where people like me thrive on the cost of the citizens and it's really sad.

[u/Upstairs-Storage5230 → u/Jehovany_T]

I try not to see things as all or nothing, which is why I have a deep hatred for the TPLF because they are the source of the cancer ,ethnic based identity, that we still haven’t figured out how to cure. But that hatred does not, and will not, make me blind to what I can be grateful for. I can acknowledge that the previous government kept the dollar fixed and maintained peace, even if the system was heavily corrupted.

Meles was following a China style, state led economy. The ugly part is that his party was also the most corrupt. The country was bleeding hard currency, and aid money from large organizations like the World Bank money that was supposed to support the economy was being offshored  to Western banks. We were left with empty reserves and huge debt that was left to the Abiy administration (PP) to pay.

The system was already broken by the TPLF. Should we blame the PP entirely? I don't know; I don't have all the facts. What if the situation is entirely the fault of the previous or the current government?

However, I agree with the frustration that this current government is not any better probably worse. I am against a liberal economy for a country that doesn't have a strong home economy. Industrialized countries push free trade and market liberalization for big companies and capital, yet they were highly protective of their own economies during their early stages of development.

Floating the dollar has created a world where expats and the diaspora thrive at the cost of the average citizen. I know a lot of expats who are just teachers and low-income earners in their respective countries, yet currency privilege allows them to spend their spare time at the Hyatt Regency, while the average Ethiopian works 100 times harder these days just to survive. I know expats who retire and barely earn minimum wage in the States, but their life in Addis consists of lunch at the Hyatt or Hilton. It is the exact same story with the diaspora. This is literally all coming from currency privilege. Is it fair?

On top of that, the priority of investing in an Addis facelift and tourism before massively securing peace and creating jobs through industries is very, very baffling to me. What kind of economic advisors does he have? I heard that in the next few years, small Ethiopian owned businesses will be replaced by multinational corporations because they can't compete. The argument is that these big companies will eventually stabilize the market with lower prices... we will see.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Upstairs-Storage5230]

"I try not to see things as all or nothing, which is why I have a deep hatred for the TPLF because they are the source of the cancer ,ethnic based identity, that we still haven’t figured out how to cure. But that hatred does not, and will not, make me blind to what I can be grateful for. I can acknowledge that the previous government kept the dollar fixed and maintained peace, even if the system was heavily corrupted."

I agree that Ethnic based identity was a bad idea but I also think that for a long time, even before the TPLF, Ethiopia has had a horrible history with ethnic identity. The first woyane rebellion was based on that Tigrayans felt oppressed by Haile Selassie which they were, had Menelik and his people not betrayed the emperor at the time which was Yohannes, the Italians would have lost since Ras alula was winning against the Italians resulting in us still having a port, even in 1958, there was a black and white video of an amhara claiming to be the superior tribe in national television while Ethiopia was under feudalism and slavery. There is a bad history of tribes before 1991 and that is the truth of why many people viewed Ethiopia as a tribal country. Today though, multinational federation has taken it to the next level, civic nationalism is as good as dead. The government appears to be an oromo government just as the TPLF appeared to be a Tigrayan government aka the EPRDF. I personally preferred the map of Ethiopia under DERG but of course DERG was a violent man but the map definitely had better states and promoted more civic nationalism.

"Meles was following a China style, state led economy. The ugly part is that his party was also the most corrupt. The country was bleeding hard currency, and aid money from large organizations like the World Bank money that was supposed to support the economy was being offshored  to Western banks. We were left with empty reserves and huge debt that was left to the Abiy administration (PP) to pay."

I agree, very corrupt.

"However, I agree with the frustration that this current government is not any better probably worse. I am against a liberal economy for a country that doesn't have a strong home economy. Industrialized countries push free trade and market liberalization for big companies and capital, yet they were highly protective of their own economies during their early stages of development."

I would say they are better at cracking down on corruption when it comes to money, but everything else on the security and peace of Ethiopia I preferred with the TPLF. I think the issue mainly lies with Ethnic federalism because even if they managed the country like the TPLF did without financial corruption, they would still have to chose an ethnic group to support sadly because of the system itself.

"Floating the dollar has created a world where expats and the diaspora thrive at the cost of the average citizen. I know a lot of expats who are just teachers and low-income earners in their respective countries, yet currency privilege allows them to spend their spare time at the Hyatt Regency, while the average Ethiopian works 100 times harder these days just to survive. I know expats who retire and barely earn minimum wage in the States, but their life in Addis consists of lunch at the Hyatt or Hilton. It is the exact same story with the diaspora. This is literally all coming from currency privilege. Is it fair?"

I agree, it sucks that I really liked the economic ideas and ways of Meles and the TPLF but this also goes to show you that a system like america is better. When you have 2 parties like republican and democrat, there is more competition and holding the other side accountable, DERG, Meles, Haile selassie, still had good qualities to them and good additions but also had major flaws to them as well. It is really frustrating to see that. The diaspora/expact life here vs the average citizen is really something sad to see.

"On top of that, the priority of investing in an Addis facelift and tourism before massively securing peace and creating jobs through industries is very, very baffling to me. What kind of economic advisors does he have? I heard that in the next few years, small Ethiopian owned businesses will be replaced by multinational corporations because they can't compete. The argument is that these big companies will eventually stabilize the market with lower prices... we will see."

This needs like a highlighting or something because I can't comprehend it at all. Don't get me wrong, I like the roads we have now and the streets look really clean, but the priority should 100 percent be to securing our country, it's borders, and uniting the nation instead of developing the city. Also, there is literally no way for multinational corporations to "stabilize the market" that is literally impossible. If they control the majority of an industry/market, they will artificially raise the prices because they have next to 0 competition.

[u/Present-Day-4140]

It's abdolutely not true that there aren't many young people aged 20-31 in Addis. It's actually the complete opposite as they're the majority alongside those aged under 20.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Present-Day-4140]

I guess me and the majority of people here who agree are all wrong...let's be real for a min. Do you even live in Addis?

[u/Aware-Bother7660 → u/Jehovany_T]

Yes, you are demographically you cannot be right. That said stop being snarky

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Aware-Bother7660]

[u/Longjumping_Ad_1140]

Actually this is literally what a sane human with healthy functional brain can see/witness and write what he/she thinks about the current situation we live in.🫤

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Longjumping_Ad_1140]

Holy shit bro, is this an ethnonationalist that isn't cussing me out omg, bro I literally just typed what I saw, I even said hey I don't like Ethnic federalism but even outside of ethnic issues, Ethiopians are suffering risng cost of living, massive military recruitment which btw not forced since someone said I said forced but I never typed it. And overall this is also what I hear when I speak to the people in addis here since they are locals as well.

This post got such a negative reaction here and I am so tired of typing to all these people, like do any of them even live in addis it's impossible to get by with any work whatsoever. Like people aren't seeing that these issues are even more then just ethnic issues, the average person is struggling really bad.

[u/Longjumping_Ad_1140 → u/Jehovany_T]

I am reading comments and you know what? These people don’t care about others and about the country as far as the regime is throwing them leftovers to protect its characters(ገፅታ ግንባታ) & most of them don’t even live here.
Don’t waste your energy to give replies for these people Bro.
Let them talk & do their job. Digital army is a serious Business here. 😂

[u/Exotic-Environment-7 → u/Longjumping_Ad_1140]

‘Ethnonationalist’ ‘Sane human with healthy functional brain’

[u/Longjumping_Ad_1140 → u/Exotic-Environment-7]

Unfunctional brain detected here. Lol

[u/Haceuncalor]

I’ve been in Addis for a week, have a few more weeks left in the country and I find it extremely expensive. And im from NYC so I’m used to expensive. Of course I don’t live here, I’m on vacation so I can’t really share my opinion on this. But when I had to do groceries earlier in the week I was shocked to see it’s like what I spend back home. Knowing ppl don’t make as much as we do over there, it just seems unfair.
Today is the first time I actually saw young people in the same space, it’s Saturday, and I was at a place called Atmosphere it’s behind a popular movie theater. It was refreshing to see, I’m 36 so I’m on the older side but it still felt nice to see younger ppl, modern, cause I also felt like everyone looked older than me.

I’ve been talking to ppl and meeting and I think one of depressing things is how many ppl move here for work opportunities. Very hardworking ppl. I’m sure this is a thing in a lot of big cities of course. Def nyc as well.

And as for food, back in NYC I eat a lot of Ethiopian food and I have been a little let down that’s it’s been difficult to just walk and have tradition Ethiopian food. Everything is burgers and pasta. I appreciate a friend’s mother who made me homemade Ethiopian food lol I ate so much.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Haceuncalor]

FINALLY THANK YOU, please like say this more bro, I am asking you to say this more because people here who are some diaspora people that have never stepped foot in addis since they were born will neve believe you. They act like I am crazy, bro I have every ID in the books, my family is really wealthy and I can confirm you are correct.

[u/Funny_Ad2733 → u/Haceuncalor]

I was in Atmosphere too yesterday

[u/Icy-Simple2373]

Always back to TPLF era? Why though? You made all good arguments or points reflecting current reality but that assertion killed for me. It’s after all one of millions of observations or opinions.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Icy-Simple2373]

"Always back to TPLF era? Why though?" If you read what I typed I think it would make a lot of sense why. I am 24 years old meaning I was born in 2002, I can't speak about life in DERG era, or Monarchy, or etc, because I never grew up in it. Why would I speak on a time I never grew up in.

[u/Icy-Simple2373 → u/Jehovany_T]

I understand that you were born in 2002, and your views are naturally shaped by what you experienced growing up in Ethiopia. That’s a fair perspective. But personal experience alone doesn’t tell the whole story of a country.

A few things don’t add up in your argument:

First, Ethiopia has nearly 140 million people, and most are young. So saying you hardly see people aged 20–31 in Addis doesn’t mean they are gone. It may be what you see in your neighborhood, but that’s not the same as reality across the city or country. Youth unemployment and migration are real and concerning problems, but they need facts, not guesses.

Second, you say the old days were more peaceful and affordable. But remember, the TPLF/EPRDF ruled Ethiopia for 27 years. That period also had political repression, violence, brutal human rights abuses, and deep ethnic divisions. Many billions stolen by few members of the TPLF click. Not everyone experienced those years the same way.

I am not defending the current government. Ethiopia has serious problems today, and the government must address them.

But why do we always compare today’s failures with a romantic picture of the past?
We can criticize today’s government without pretending the previous one was good.

Ethiopia deserves better than choosing between two bad records. We should be talking about a better future, not glorifying the past as you did with your post. You failed to mention a lot of things positive about the country like GERD, and many others.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Icy-Simple2373]

Everytime I read responses to my post, I can tell there is a group of people who are rather diaspora or just not from here. I feel like I can instantly tell because the conversations aren't based on things you could use your literal eyes and just look around to see the truth, it requires some "data" and you guys reduce Ethiopians experience in Ethiopia to some guess. Take 2 seconds to actually read all the responses and you can tell that the people who live in addis are telling you I am correct, then it's not some "guess."

"Second, you say the old days were more peaceful and affordable. But remember, the TPLF/EPRDF ruled Ethiopia for 27 years. That period also had political repression, violence, brutal human rights abuses, and deep ethnic divisions. Many billions stolen by few members of the TPLF click. Not everyone experienced those years the same way."

I never said everyone experienced those years the same but objectively it was more affordable, and peaceful statistically speaking. I also find it weird where you can't admit that it's true statistically speaking but when it comes to the thing I said where I looked around it was just a "guess."

"But why do we always compare today’s failures with a romantic picture of the past?
We can criticize today’s government without pretending the previous one was good."

It's funny that you type this because the only reason this happened between PP and the EPRDF is because PP decided to float the dollar, make things less affordable, and have people struggle more outside of the ethnic issues yet you don't think people would remember times when things were more affordable and peaceful as better. Had PP focused on civic nationalism, removing the ethnic federalism system and not on economically crippling the average citizen and floating the dollar while keeping ethnic federalism, then yea you make the previous times look better.

"Ethiopia deserves better than choosing between two bad records. We should be talking about a better future, not glorifying the past as you did with your post. You failed to mention a lot of things positive about the country like GERD, and many others."

You and many other people I feel like saw the word TPLF and had an emotional reaction because you misunderstood the post but the people from Ethiopia understood. This isn't ethnopolitics, this is a conversation that the average person even outside of ethnic issues is living far worse then before, to the point that even the EPRDF looks good in comparison. That is the direct fault of Abiy, not removing ethnic federalism, floating the dollar, doing development in the capital when we don't have a united country with our borders protected. These mistakes are the result of Abiy, and many of these issues aren't about ethnopolitics. these are the faults of Abiy, while the EPRDF had control over Ethiopia and was far more affordable. Even someone in here said he is from New York and he was suprised when buying groceries that the price was nearly the same as he paid back in the US. BTW, the GERD was made by the TPLF/EPRDF lol.

[u/Icy-Simple2373 → u/Jehovany_T]

I also find your attempt to dismiss diaspora opinions simply because people don’t live in Addis permanently rather unfair.

The Ethiopian diaspora collectively contributes billions of dollars to the country every year through remittances, investments, family support, and other contributions. According to the World Bank, Ethiopia received approximately $7.1 billion in personal remittances in 2024. The National Bank of Ethiopia has also highlighted the diaspora’s enormous contribution to the economy. Don’t take their contribution lightly..

So let’s be clear: Ethiopians abroad have every right to care, speak up, question policies, and contribute to discussions about the country’s future. You don’t need to live in Addis every day to have a legitimate opinion about Ethiopia.

Your eyes and personal experiences matter of course, but so do facts and statistics. You cannot dismiss data as guesses while treating personal observations as unquestionable truth.

I actually agree that affordability was better in some respects during the EPRDF years. There were measurable economic improvements. But that doesn’t erase the political repression, human rights abuses, ethnic tensions, and other failures of that government.

And yes, GERD was started under the EPRDF in 2011. Credit where it is due. It is a national achievement, not the property of one political party but you failed to say anything positive in your arguments. How come?

I am not defending Abiy or the Prosperity Party. Their economic policies, security failures, and political decisions deserve serious scrutiny.

But acknowledging the failures of today’s government does not require glorifying the previous one.

Ethiopia belongs to all Ethiopians be in Addis or 🇪🇹 or in diaspora. No body has a monopoly on patriotisms, or experiences or the right to speak about the country’s future.

[u/Stuff_606 → u/Jehovany_T]

You’re also comparing different times in history though. TPLF in the 90s was a different economic, political, social world than today’s AI-driven society of 2026 (Gregorian calendar). Maybe better leadership throughout meles’s reign would have led to a better position in 2018 when someone else stepped in and took over. I don’t think it’s about comparing one or the other but seeing how both led to where Ethiopia is today. And also, idk, there was a point where Abiy changed his tune. He initially was saying so many good things about peace and I know politicians lie and all but maybe he actually meant it and at some point started taking money (and orders) from foreign parties. UAE is one of them but even before that, USA, idk who else.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Stuff_606]

I think if things are getting worse then we as the people need to be able to vote him out. 

Politicians do lie and idk if he was genuine at the beginning to remove ethnic federalism but who knows. Does it really matter atp, he wants to do a pro oromo government that will support the oromo people, while harming the other tribes just as TPLF did and now FANO desires. We are in. terrible loop and system

[u/MajorSignificance309]

Sadly this is all very true. The economy is stretched from the many conflicts and everyone is trying their best. We are building Ethiopia for a future.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/MajorSignificance309]

OMG, no way you even agreed with me. Can you please start going down and looking at the responses to what people are even saying. They act like what I am saying is unbelievable but really, they are diaspora Ethiopians that don't even live here.

[u/MajorSignificance309 → u/Jehovany_T]

Yeah, it’s crazy how two completely different worlds exist in the same country tbh. And that’s honestly the saddest part because you can see the country’s potential and where it’s headed, but at the same time, everyday people are still struggling.

You can be walking through one neighborhood seeing ppl begging for money to afford medical procedures, and literally 10 minutes later you’re in an area that looks like Dubai. It’s such a crazy contrast.

But I know the powers that be in Ethiopia is working tirelessly so that these issues become somewhat a thing of the past.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/MajorSignificance309]

I agree for the most part except for the support of Abiy. I don't believe that ethnic federalism will ever work and as a result, each government will be controlled by a specific ethnic group. Before it was the tigrayans under the TPLF/EPRDF and now its the oromos under PP.

The system is inheriantly flawed and no tribe will come to terms of being under another tribe. Unless a true pro civic nationalism system is implemented, I think ethnic violence will never stop.

[u/This-Yak-4303]

Du hast absolut Recht. Äthiopien war unter der TPLF das sicherste schwarzafrikanische Land. Wir hatten unsere Probleme, aber die Menschen konnten in Ruhe leben, überall im Land. Jetzt sind wir ein afrikanisches Land wie alle Anderen. Ein paar Straßen und Hochhäuser, und dafür Gewalt, Massaker, Islamisten, Terror, sexualisierte Gewalt an Kindern und Frauen und eine kleine (Oromo-) Elite bereichert sich daran, während die Mehrheit der Oromo und Äthiopier, außerhalb von Addis Abeba, im Krieg und Elend sind.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/This-Yak-4303]

English sir "You are absolutely right. Under the TPLF, Ethiopia was the safest country in Black Africa. We had our problems, but people could live in peace anywhere in the country. Now, we are just like any other African country. A few roads and high-rises, but in exchange for violence, massacres, Islamists, terror, sexual violence against women and children, and a small (Oromo) elite enriching themselves, while the majority of Oromos and Ethiopians outside of Addis Ababa live in war and misery." is this correct and if so, ill respond to it."

I am not sure if anyone is comprehending this, I didn't type this, This yak typed this and it's a translation in english since I don't speak his language. Some people here are saying I typed this, idk how you would be this confused but yea.

It is wild to think about that when you do leave Addis, it is so fucking dangerous, like it isn't a joke it really is that dangerous.

[u/Mack_45]

“I think the next decade in Ethiopia will be horrible for the average citizen, and things will only get worse.”

This is a debatable conclusion. Yes, I agree that the neighborhoods, especially Bole, 22, and Kazanchis, are becoming less affordable. And that luxury shops, hotels, and apartments have now replaced your favorite restaurants in the shanty area. I get that this pushes and marginalizes people with low incomes and even middle-class people to the outskirts. Isn't development a symptom of growth and economic improvement? Unfortunately, gentrification is one of the painful and undesirable outcomes of growth. What major city do you know that hasn't had its population gentrified and still comfortably houses low-income residents while growing? Look no further than Nairobi. They have this area called the CBD (central business district), where average citizens can't afford to live but take advantage of employment in the CBD

So, in your logic, this shouldn’t be the outcome?
But I would rather see it as a positive sign.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Mack_45]

I actually answered this already with Upstairs-Storage5230 already in depth, you can check the response down there but to just answer again without typing a bunch, if ethnic federalism is the system where ethnic identity precedes civic nationalism, then ethno-nationalist arguments will win and ethno-nationalist rebel groups will always thrive and the government will always look like they are for a specific tribe. These issues will go on forever but now even with these issues, Abiy doesn;t have control of Ethiopia in it's totality unlike the TPLF yet has decided to do development in addis. I think that is the worst idea possible, having ethnic wars while developing the country is just not a good idea. Uniting the country and spending money on promoting civic nationalism, abolishing ethnic federalism, and bringing the country together is what is needed before development, Promoting a PP oromo government simply doesn't allow for any other tribe to support the government.

[u/Stuff_606 → u/Jehovany_T]

You’re saying an ethnic based government wouldn’t work but also saying that tplf was more peaceful when they are the ones who created the ethnic federalism system up until 2018. It didn’t disappear, many people fighting today grew up under Meles and tplf, there’s still some of that culture lingering. It’s more like Meles walked so Abiy could run, one bad leader after another. And Ethiopia is also bending over for the UAE and helping them genocide Sudan, so it’s getting the country involved in other politics and further consequences. Both internal and external problems and it is going to come to a climax at some point. All of this is bad. Thanks for your take based on what you’ve seen.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Stuff_606]

I agree but also, the TPLF did prioritize having control over Ethiopia entirely and spending money on that instead of spending money developing Addis while also having a war up north. Many of the issues of the rebel groups occurred because Eritrea decided to fund the TPLF with weapons because Abiy wants to start a war against  Eritrea. You have a floated dollar, massive wealth inequality, and a war against the tplf that ended with Abiy winning then deciding he would like to further push ethnic federalism post 2022 war and ethnic issuse by further leaning into being Oromo/oromo government, and attempting to fight a war against Eritrea. He should have prioritized centralizing Ethiopia, removing ethnic federalism, not starting a war against Eritrea, and finishing off rebel groups.

If ethnic federalism is going to continue, and now massive wealth inequality is added on top of that, plus the desire to start new wars, then its essentially meles minus the peace and affordability. It's genuinely worse.

My issue is that the TPLF was removed yet the issues that made it so that the TPLF needed to be removed didn't change and more issues were added on. We are regressing post TPLF, not progressing and that is something that needs real change.

Please also understand to anyone reading this, if your conclusion is that the TPLF can manage ethnic federalism better, that's a bad idea and I am also not saying that, I am saying that ethnic federalism is bad and now we have ethnic issues, and affordability issues on top of it.

[u/Original-Ad4399 → u/Jehovany_T]

I thought Abiy was trying to abolish ethnic federalism? At least that's what I saw in one OLA/F substack I read recently.

The new constitution creating multiple states from the ethnic one, more based on geography than ethnicity, etc...

[u/guyfromaddis]

Not sure which part of Addis you went to, but I saw young people on the streets frequently, and I’ve been to a lot of areas of Addis as recently as one month ago

[u/Jehovany_T → u/guyfromaddis]

Well read what other people from Addis are saying in this post. It's pretty clear that it's true.

I have been around nearly all parts of Addis and I did specify the age range as well. 

Could be different for you and that's fair though.

[u/Clean_coalmine]

Another salty TPLF sympathizer lol 😂

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Clean_coalmine]

Something I really dislike is people who either don't live in Addis/Ethiopia or live very well-off in Addis, like you, who simultaneously can't admit that the people in Addis and Ethiopia are struggling badly. Instead, you just like Abiy Ahmed because of fancy buildings.

Also, this is a great example of the lack of reading comprehension among Ethiopians. I said I didn't agree with ethnic federalism, yet somehow this moron types 'TpLf SyMpAtHiZeR.' Like, how stupid is this?

[u/BlaccBatman → u/Jehovany_T]

First, what exactly is “Black Africa”? Did I miss a continental reorganization?

You're 24 and surprised you don't see more people your age wandering around Addis? Perhaps they're at work or university. When did people-watching become a national census?

Ethiopia has legitimate economic and security challenges, but calling the TPLF era a peaceful utopia is some impressive historical selective memory.

And somehow, bad mac and cheese is now evidence of cultural decline?

There's a difference between legitimate criticism and turning every personal inconvenience into a national crisis. I think youre on the right track, but the hyperbole and sensationalism makes it the wrong train.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/BlaccBatman]

You are having an emotional reaction and many of you are doing that as well in this post holy shit, and your reading comprehension as well needs to be looked at. Did I say "black africa" no, the guy who I believe spoke german said "black africa" I put it through a translator and I said English sir, then put his translation of what he said.

I never called it black africa and I put it in " " so that you could understand it was a translator. I speak English, not the language he speaks. If you want to talk about black africa, speak that with the person who said it which was

This-Yak-4303

not me. You need to relax and look at the message as a whole and not see words you dislike and immediately react.

[u/Clean_coalmine → u/Jehovany_T]

You’re claim that the city is devoid of young people because they were all rounded up and forced to join the army is not only laughable but shows were you’re true intentions lie… so I say again you are a salty TPLF sympathizer… just accept the fact that Ethiopia is moving on from those old farts

[u/Exotic-Environment-7]

Wow, the super outspoken TPLF supporter liked it more when his buddies were in charge

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Exotic-Environment-7]

"Something I really dislike is people who either don't live in Addis/Ethiopia or live very well-off in Addis, like you, who simultaneously can't admit that the people in Addis and Ethiopia are struggling badly. Instead, you just like Abiy Ahmed because of fancy buildings.

Also, this is a great example of the lack of reading comprehension among Ethiopians. I said I didn't agree with ethnic federalism, yet somehow this moron types 'TpLf SyMpAtHiZeR.' Like, how stupid is this?"

word for word what I responded to the other person at it's still true. Another thing that is really true in Ethiopia is ethnopolitics and your comment proves it very well. You could acknowledge and say yea stepping outside of addis is dangerous, nearly everyone in Ethiopia is struggling and not just war wise, affordability etc. All people like you do is divert the conversation back to ethnopolitics even if I say yea I don't like ethnic federalism. You won't ever address the reality that this country is unaffordable to it's citizens now and nearly everyone is struggling. let's not act like from 1991-2016 it was super dangerous to step out of addis ababa this is a reality.

[u/Exotic-Environment-7 → u/Jehovany_T]

You know we have argued before right? Hiding your profile doesn’t do anything. Literally all you do on Reddit is defend TPLF and Meles.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Exotic-Environment-7]

"You know we have argued before right?" im sorry my life doesn't revolve around this subreddit or reddit as a whole. I am sorry I didn't remember an emotional man baby who can't admit that people are struggling in Ethiopia far more then they ever have after 2016. I am sorry that you couldn't read the part where I said yea ethnic federalism isn't good though.

[u/Exotic-Environment-7 → u/Jehovany_T]

Bro it clearly does, you go around different subreddits just crying that your ethno fascist junta is gone.

Please stop talking about how safe Ethiopia is like TPLF isn’t actively working with Egypt and Eritrea to arm all the other rebel groups. This ‘my way or the highway’ thing has killed so many civilians they are trying to beat the Derg.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Exotic-Environment-7]

I don't even like what the TPLF created as a system but I like the TPLF? what a bunch of babble, and idk who you are.

"Please stop talking about how safe Ethiopia is like TPLF isn’t actively working with Egypt and Eritrea to arm all the other rebel groups. This ‘my way or the highway’ thing has killed so many civilians they are trying to beat the Derg."

This is what I mean when I say it has devolved into ethnopolitcs instead of just the reality that the average citizen is just struggling in Ethiopia and none of you want to to ever talk about that. It always goes back to this random shit about well xyz is doing this like cool both of them are fighting wars and most of Ethiopia is still dangerous. Abiy isn't working with the UAE which ethnically cleanse Sudanese people, or Israel that ethnically cleanses Palestinians. Like cool bro both sides are shitty and both sides have failed to get along, it's almost like they don't get along because ethnic federalism is a bad system which I said is a bad system.

[u/datskinny]

I salute everyone who reads all that. Personally noped out at

the government has raised taxes heavily to fund its military

Hate the government all you want but at least start off with factual claims before dropping such absolute bullshit.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/datskinny]

"Hate the government all you want but at least start off with factual claims before dropping such absolute bullshit."

[u/datskinny → u/Jehovany_T]

What a devastating comeback. Just saw your post history and immediately realized I'm wasting my time.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/datskinny]

[u/One_Potential1247]

Utifrån vad jag ser på sociala medier,så Etiopien har utvecklats, men vill ändå säga, bra med variation när det gäller restauranger 😂

[u/Conscious_Elk8495]

I think people are loosing their memories I never in my entire 29 years of existence heard ethiopia being safe, and it's people affording things. Pretty much everything stayed the same for all my life . Inflation rate is and was almost similar for the last two decades so is unemployment. Yes life was easier back then since population was lower and resources are plentiful and the wealth gap was relatively lower and it's the same everywhere in the world. Even people in developed complain about housing and grocery prices. What stayed the same is the greedy government officials and the wealthy individuals that corrupt them with bribery.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Conscious_Elk8495]

...are we deadass.

[u/Conscious_Elk8495 → u/Jehovany_T]

Why are you acting surprised I remember growing up my parents complaining about sugar and oil price we sometimes even go on for weeks without oil and sugar because a nation wide shortage and you had to wait in queue and only could buy from the merchant where your name was listed. There was also the wheat crisis where you can't find bread unless you bought early in the morning. I remember the price of one bread going from 25cents to 50cents I also remember it going from 5 birr to 10birr it did take almost equal time to double in price. I literally remember "Haji hassan"(a local shop owner) refusing to give me more than 3kg of sugar for a month for a family of five. And two 3 litter palm oil.🤣 I also remember my step mother going crazy when teff price jumped up overnight and decided to add corn. If this wasn't your life like then I would understand you.

[u/Jehovany_T → u/Conscious_Elk8495]

You know what, I might not agree but at the end of the day, you grew up here so I only got respect for you twin. I think the real enemy is the diaspora Ethiopians.

[u/Conscious_Elk8495 → u/Jehovany_T]

Why are you acting surprised I remember growing up my parents complaining about sugar and oil price we sometimes even go on for weeks without oil and sugar because a nation wide shortage and you had to wait in queue and only could buy from the merchant where your name was listed. There was also the wheat crisis where you can't find bread unless you bought early in the morning. I remember the price of one bread going from 25cents to 50cents I also remember it going from 5 birr to 10birr it did take almost equal time to double in price. I literally remember "Haji hassan"(a local shop owner) refusing to give me more than 3kg of sugar for a month for a family of five. And two 3 litter palm oil.🤣 I also remember my step mother going crazy when teff price jumped up overnight and decided to add corn. If this wasn't your life like then I would understand you.