<b>Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia<br></b><br>Head of State: President Girma Wolde-Giorgis<br>Head of Government: Dirma Zembagis<br>
<br>Population: 88 million<br><br>GDP [PPP] = $71.3 billion<br>per capita = $800<br><br>Unemployment Rate: 11%<br><br>Economic Growth: 8%<br><br><div id=":ud" class="ii gt">--------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br><b>Political Landscape:</b>
In late 2012, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi retired on a high note after
a long and successful career in Ethiopian politics. Since the Prime
Minister has the real power in Ethiopia, this position opening up is
significant, as it allowed Dirma Zembagis to fill in the position and
take over. As interim leader, Dirma's position is not yet solidified,
but he is exercising increased control over the House of People's
Representatives [lower chamber] and the House of Federation [upper
chamber]. With President Girma Wolde-Giorgis' term coming to an end in
the next year, Dirma has another chance to fill the position with a
political ally, as long as the HoPR votes in favour of his choice that is.
<br>
<br>As for Dirma himself, he is a well known public figure in Ethiopia
and has been for the last few years since he started campaigning with
his party, the Ethiopian National Front. Dirma created the party
himself, and it has gained momentum rapidly since its inception in late
2009. They did well, carrying 102 seats in the HoPR in the 2010
elections, and Dirma has organized a coalition government to gain power
with Zenawi gone.<br>
<br>The Ethiopian National Front [from now on ENF] has a broad agenda
and a wide appeal among many people in country for its generally
progressive, yet patriotic ideas:<br><br>1. Equality amongst the many diverse ethnic groups of Ethiopia.<br>
2. Protection for critical sectors of the economy<br>3.
Supports bringing back the Emperor and the Imperial family to act in a
constitutional manner, similar to the system in many European nations
and Japan.<br>4. Reform and investment in agriculture, critical to so many Ethiopians.<br>
5. Investment and construction of infrastructure to aid economic development.<br>6.
An independent and neutral course in international diplomacy. Dirma is
a well known nationalist and disagrees with common markets and free
trade, along with other attempts to integrate Africa.<br>
7. Promotes traditional values<br>8. Promotes extending Ethiopia's influence amongst its neighbours in the region.<br>9. Wants Eritrea integrated back into Ethiopia, by what means doesn't matter.<br><br><b>Economics:</b>
By 2013, after a short slowing in growth, Ethiopia's economy is back on
track and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Although a drought struck in 2008, and hurt many people, the monsoon
rains have returned with regularity and have once again brought
prosperity to many farmers. <br>
Nonetheless, Ethiopia remains an extremely poor nation, with many
varying economic problems. A lack of electricity, fossil fuels,
infrastructure, and foreign exchange reserves, little government spending on social programs like
education and health care, no coastal access, population overcrowding,
and a heavy dependence on agriculture, are some of the problems facing
the country. The agricultural sector remains dependent on coffee
exports to keep many farmers afloat, and poor water usage, lack of
irrigation, outdated farming techniques, and overuse of pesticides lead
to desertification. Ethiopia is a very mountainous country, and much
of country is within the East Africa Rift Valley, a major earthquake
zone. Although there has not been a major earthquake in recent
history, there is bound to be one again, and when one strikes, many
impoverished people will suffer. Because the population is growing so
rapidly, the economy must generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs
every year just to keep the per capita income level. Until population
growth declines, per capita income will grow slowly.<br>
<br>All that being said, the future is bright. Industry and services
continue to grow apace, and migration to the cities runs at about 4%
annually. Addis Ababa is undoubtedly the economic hub of the country,
with a rapidly growing population of about 3.5 million people. The
soils of the nation remain very fertile due to the very thing that also
threatens the people, volcanism and tectonic forces. With coaxing and
time, Ethiopia could become a breadbasket region for export and be able feed itself.<br>
<br><b>Social Issues:</b> Ethiopia has a fast-growing population.
Population growth averages out at approximately 2.4% annually. This
leads to enormous strain on the existing infrastructure in place and
leads to many issues that come with an exploding population.
Ethiopia's population has grown from 33.5 million in 1983 to 75.1
million in 2006! And since 2006, a further 13 million people have been
added to that sum. Needless to say, disease and health care are major
issues. While the economy grows rapidly, hand in hand with population
growth, the per capita income of the average Ethiopian has been
stationary at about $800 per capita. More people than ever before are
mired in poverty, although percentage-wise this is slowly improving.
At a staggering 81% living below the poverty line, some 70 million
people are considered poor in the country. AIDS runs rampant with an
ever increasing death toll and infection count, and the death rate is
at 11/1000. A lack of health care funding and medicine severely limit what aid
agencies and the government can do for the people.<br>
<br>Meanwhile, the percentage of the population with an education
remains low, despite attempts over the years. All is not dark on the
social front though. Despite the many challenges Ethiopia faces, the
AIDS infection rate is lower than to the south. As government revenues
increase, more is spent on education and health care. The growth rate
of population is also slowly declining, as is the death rate. The life
expectancy is rising, albeit slowly, and currently stands at a median
rate of 56 years. The situation, while dire. is improving and will
continue to do so.<br>
<br><b>Defense:</b> The Ethiopian military is one of the largest in
Africa, with more than 200,000 active service personnel. The Ethiopian
National Defense Force [ENDF] is currently transitioning from a rebel
force to a professional contract military. The military is overseen by
the Ministry of Defence, which also regulates the domestic arms
industry.<br>
The domestic arms industry is a polyglot of businesses that create new
parts and somehow generally keep the ancient weaponry of the military
working. The debt of the federal government, all $3.5 billion of it,
was incurred by arms purchases from the USSR in the late 1970's and
early '80's by the Derg regime. This debt remains unserviced.<br>
Ethiopian forces have participated in many regional conflicts,
including Somalia, Darfur, and Eritrea. Ethiopia will remain a major
player in the region, and commands respect among its neighbours because
of its comparatively large military.<br>
<b><br>Foreign Relations:</b> Ethiopia maintains embassies in all
major nations of the world. Relations with the US and co. have
improved markedly since the collapse of the Derg and institution of
democracy in the 1990's. Relations with China are also warm, as
Chinese investment in Ethiopia continues, as in much of east Africa.<br>
<br><b>Timeline:</b><br><br>November 2009: ENF founded by Dirma.<br>April 2010: Monsoon rains return in June after scattered showers begin in February. Farmers rejoice.<br>September 2010: Farmers reap a record crop. Food aid is temporarily reduced and the government stores away as much as it can.<br>
January 2011: Ethiopia rejects the new boundary recommended by the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. Tensions increase between the
two states. Ethiopian forces still remain as occupiers of much of
Eritrea.<br>October
2011: A friendly fire incident by Eritrean forces on their own led to a
confused gun fight on the border and 23 soldiers on both sides died.
Although the situation was defused, diplomatic relations are near an
all-time low.<br>
June 2012: A bomber detonates himself in the city of Dire Dawa in the
eartern portion of the country, killing 2 people and wounding 19.
Ethiopian security forces link him to an Eritrean rebel cell and the
Foreign Affairs Ministry denounces Eritrea as a haven of terrorism.<br>
August 2012: A small natural gas field is discovered in the eastern desert region of the country.<br>November
2012: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi retires as announced a year
earlier. Dirma Zembagis becomes interim Prime Minister until the next
elections.</div>