Least Developed Countries: Ethiopia, Term Paper Example

Introduction 

Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest nation, an ancient kingdom whose history goes back at least to the 8^th century B.C.E. The kingdoms that arose during its early history, the Axumite, began chain of successor kingdoms whose rule remained uninterrupted until modern times. Historically, Ethiopia has enjoyed freedom from colonial rule, unlike other countries in Africa, except for a short Italian occupation from 1936 until 1941 (CIA, 2010). Throughout its long history, Ethiopia has had its share of political strife and has defended its borders from multiple invaders.  Yet, throughout it all, it has maintained its unique culture and ancient traditions. Ancient stone cities, such as the giant ancient city of Meroe, and giant stone obelisks still stand to attest to the ancient history and past glories of Ethiopia (Imperial Ethiopia, 2010). Ethiopia is home to two unique forms of religion, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Felasha Jewish communities (Imperial Ethiopia, 2010), and is thought to be home of major crops like coffee, grain sorghum and castor bean (CIA, 2010).

Situated in the northern east coast of Africa, in the African Horn, Ethiopia covers a vast tract of land that has many unique geologic features, most notably the Great Rift Valley, an area of high tectonic and volcanic activity. It is also the headwaters of the Blue Nile. Within its boundaries are vast deserts, lush green river valleys, and high forested mountains. Its geography has influenced the country in many ways, both good and bad. Currently, there are many land areas that are endangered due to desertification, and this has caused a massive amount of poverty and malnutrition. Desertification is the process by which arable land is turned to desert due to drought and overgrazing, which causes the top soil to be blown away and thus be inhospitable to vegetation . Other current environmental issues include deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, and drought. Poor water-management due to water-intensive farming has also caused water shortages (CIA, 2010).

As a third world, underdeveloped country, Ethiopia has its share of problems. However, its ancient history and colorful culture make it a unique feature in the African landscape. This religiously and linguistically divers country has a proud people from varying ethnicities that has occasionally caused it internal strife. However, change is afoot in Ethiopia, which has recently seen a switch to democracy and is slowly changing its cultural view and treatment of women. From ancient wonder to modern tragedy, the people of Ethiopia continue to survive in their sometimes harsh and always beautiful ancestral lands.

Demographics

Ethiopia has a large population that continues to grow, by 3.2% as of 2010, due to its high fertility rate. However, it is a young population due to to killers such as AIDS, which over 2% of the population is currently living with, and diseases due to malnutrition and hunger.  Poor education has led to less than half of the adult population being literate. Poverty is a major problem in Ethiopia, where almost 39% of the population lives well below the poverty line.

Table 1: Population statistics from cia.gov, 2010.

Only 2.7% of the population is currently over 65 and the average life expectancy for an Ethiopian is only 55.7  years. The birth rate is double the death rate so despite the harshness of life, the Ethiopian population continues to grow, putting further stress on the already limited natural resources.

Table 2: Age statistics of Ethiopia from cia.gov, 2010.

Government

Since ancient times, Ethiopia has been ruled by a series of kings from ancient lineages. The Lineage of the Solomonic dynasty, for example, dates back to 1268 (Imperial Ethiopia, 2000). Haile Selassie was a modern Ethiopian emperor who could trace his roots back to the beginning of the ancient Solomonic dynasty. However, in 1974, 33 years after Selassie had deposed of the Italians, he was overthrown in a military coup by a socialist regime known as the Derg (CIA, 2010). In 1991, after decades of bloody strife and devastating drought, the regime was overthrown by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF, 2010). By 1994, the country had established a constitution and was officially a democracy.

Today the country is officially known the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and is a federal republic (CIA, 2010). The legal system of Ethiopia is officially based on civil law. There are two types of legislative elections in Ethiopia, woreda (district) and kebelle (village or local). In 2005, these elections were suspended by the regime until 2008. This was a blow to the country’s democracy. Rural villages see the kebelle and woreda elections as the most direct experience of democracy, and when the elections were suspended, it lessened their faith in the democratic system.

Both national and regional courts are located across the country. There are three branches of government, a legislative branch, an executive branch and a judicial branch. All Ethiopians over the age of 18, men and women, have the right to vote in its democratic elections.  Presidents are voted into office on six year terms with a maximum of two terms possible. The country has over 10 recognized political parties that vie for control of the government.  Example of Ethiopian political parties include the Afar National Democracy Party (ANDP), the Argoba Peoples Democratic Organization (APDO), the and the Somali Democratic Forces (SODAF). The party currently in control is the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) which is headed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (Smith, 2007.)”

Religion and Politics

Ethiopia is a highly religious country. On the Peace Corps website, volunteers are told to expect to witness prayers at public gatherings an meetings, as there is generally now a separation of church and state in Ethiopia (Peace Corps, 2010). Most of the population is part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This sect of Christianity has remained unchanged be developments in the Catholic church as it severed ties with Rome prior to the 11^th century AD. Thus, it practices a unique form of Christianity that has many practices related to ancient Judaism. A unique tradition in the Ethiopian Orthodox church is the veneration for the Ark of the Covenant, a facsimile of which is featured in every church (Imperial Ethiopia, 2000).

The next largest Ethiopian religious sect is Islam.  40% of the nation is Muslims and are of the Sunnis sect (CIA, 2010). There is also a a number of small Jewish communities in Ethiopia, known as the Felasha Jews (Imperial Ethiopia, 2000).

Table 3: Major religions of Ethiopica, cia.gov, 2010.

In her 2007 report to the United States Institute for Peace, Laura Smith notes that 2006 brought rising religious tensions in the country, mostly between people of the Ethiopian Orthodox church and the Muslim community. Historically, Muslims have always been neglected by the government, which was strictly Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Since 1991, religious identity has changed since political parties have started to develop with religious connections and this developed with increasing conflict (Smith, 2007). Smith (2007) also notes that “it is likely that at the local level religious identity will continue to be a critical indicator of the success of the democratic transition process.”

Ethnic-Cultural Divisions

One of the major conflicts of the area is a border dispute with the country of Eritrea to  its north. Eritrea is a Muslim country and occupies the thin strip of land that separates Ethiopia from the Red Sea and thus, along with Somalia, keeps it landlocked. “Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorate in certain respects since the Ethiopian elections. The deadlock over border demarcation remains, despite threats and efforts at talks by the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) and various international witnesses to the 2000 Algiers Agreement, which brought the war to an end.

Within the country a major concern is the issue of human rights as deserving of a Democratic nation. The federal police are known to use mass detentions and security to forces to punish those who oppose the current regime (Smith, 2007).  Smith writes that after the elections of 2005, “The opposition party leadership in the OFDM has changed repeatedly that security forces are targeting Oromo citizens, carrying out killings and illegal detentions in Weest Wellega zone and elsewhere.” There are a number of ethnic groups within the Ethiopian society and clashes between them and the dominate regime because of politics and religion continues to be a major source of violence and human rights issues in Ethiopia (Smith, 2007).

Table 4: Ethiopia’s ethnic groups, cia.gov, 2010.

The different ethnic and cultural groups within the country speak a number of traditional languages besides Arabic and English which are also taught in schools. A lack of resources has contributed to the distrust and conflict that has broken out between Ethiopia’s various cultural groups.

Table 5: Languages spoken in Ethiopia, cia.gov, 2010.

Women and Development

Women have a very distinct cultural role in traditional Ethiopian society. Especially in rural communities, woman are expected to “cook, clean and do laundry (Peace Corps, 2010).” However, that role is beginning to change as Ethiopian woman make progress in gaining equality in Ethiopian society. In 1993, The National Policy on Women was formulated, “aimed to create appropriate structures within government offices and institutions to establish equitable and gender-sensitive public policies (EthioEmbassy, 1998).” Until the 1990’s, women’s affairs had not ever officially been addressed by the Ethiopian government.

While women have traditionally played an important part in Ethiopian society and economy, their efforts were not appreciated and they have been denied their fair share of the wealth. “The democratic process is able to grow and develop effectively when all people are given equal encouragement to exercise their democratic rights, and when women can experience the benefits of their labor on an equal basis with men (Ethio Embassy, 1998).” While strides towards equality have been made, Ethiopia still has a long way to go towards women’s rights.

Conclusion

As violence and terrorism continue in Ethiopia (Smith, 2007) there is uncertainty as to whether or not its future will be peaceful.  In order for the fledgling democracy to remain free, “civil society and the private press should be supported with resources and international pressure (Smith, 2007).” Continuing conflicts with Somalia and Eritrea will only bring violence to the region. However, a different outcome, according to Smith, is also possible. She writes that (2007) “Ethiopia has a real opportunity to be a force for peace in the region, and it should be encouraged to use its powerful position to this end.” Ethiopia has a rich history, colorful culture and a strong sense of nationality that will, hopefully, ensure its survival and its movement from a third world country to a developing one.

References

“Ancient Ethiopia” (2009) The Ancient Web Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from http://www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id=10

“Crown Council of Ethiopia” (2000) Imperial Ethiopia Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from http://www.imperialethiopia.org/religions.htm

“Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues in Ethiopia” Peace Corps Journals 25 July, 2010. Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Diversity_and_cross-cultural_issues_in_Ethiopia

“Ethiopia” (October 27, 2010) CIA World Factbook  Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html

Smith, Laura (August 2007) United States Institute of Peace Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from http://www.usip.org/files/resources/sr192.pdf

“Women in Ethiopia: National Policy on Ethiopian Women” (1998) Ethio Embassy Web. Retrieved 4 November 2010 from http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/fact%20file/a-z/women-1.htm