Page 30 - The Nile Explorer Magazine 011

nation,” Biden said. “If we give Donald
Trump eight years in the White House,
he will forever and fundamentally alter
the character of this nation – who we
are. And I cannot stand by and watch
that happen.”
Joe Biden faced a grueling battle on his
road to the White House, but challenges
remain. He inherit a nation still faced
with the coronavirus pandemic, with
infection soaring, economic turmoil as
a result of the virus, nationwide unrest
due to racial injustice and the growing
concerns over climate change.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
President Trump announced the
Accord in June 2017, but UN regulations Ethiopia on the brink,
decision to pull out of the Paris Climate

meant that his decision would only take
effect a day after the US elections. And UN offers help
the US could re-join it in future—with
Trump now out of the way--should Joe Ethiopia is once again in turmoil, with Democratic Front (EPRDF). Abiy did
Biden choose to do so. the Horn of Africa at war with itself, this not only to shift away from a much-
The Paris deal was drafted in 2015 to creating uncertainty in a country with a criticized legacy, but also to break with a
strengthen the global response to the history of civil war and coups. Ethiopian political landscape of strongly ethicized
threat of climate change. It aims to keep governance and political system are politics.
based on “ethnic federalism” with a
For the last three decades, Ethiopia’s
the global temperature rise this century central government consolidating the political culture has been one focused
well below 2C above pre-industrial federation, but never at ease. on ethnicity. Most of the parties, formed
levels and to pursue efforts to limit the The constituent regions that form along ethnic lines, push the agenda of
temperature increase even further to the federation are nothing but ethnic their group, with little focus on cross-
1.5C. After a three-year delay, the US enclaves that are always jockeyed over cutting topics such as social or economic
has become the first nation in the world by parties angling for power in Addis issues.
to formally withdraw from the Paris Ababa, with differences always playing Tigrayans have dominated Ethiopian
climate agreement. out, and sometimes, the some regions politics for decades until Abiy took office
keep demanding autonomy.. in 2018. They have set off a war, fighting
Joe Biden takes on another first, as the Ethnicity has shaped Ethiopians’ his efforts to reduce their influence. The
first presidential candidate in US history political choices for decades. Since Ethiopian military has been bombing the
to pick a woman as Vice President, and assuming office, Prime Minister Abiy Tigray region for days, since the conflict
a country that has history of baring Ahmed has been trying to find a more began, with Abiy touting the Ethiopian
women from voting. unifying alternative, spurring hope but soldiers’ successes against forces loyal
also skepticism. Ethiopia was set to to the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front
Ms. Harris was picked by Democratic hold a national election this year, but [TPLF],.
presidential candidate Joe Biden as his postponed it to 2021 due to the corona New army chief Birhanu told a state-
running mate in August, months after virus pandemic run newspaper on Oct, 9, that the army
she suspended her own presidential Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel was in control of several towns near the
dreams, saying she lacked the financial Peace prize, 2019; with many eyes on him border with Eritrea, including Dansha
as a possible solution to the civil conflicts
and Shire, but he did not say when the
resources to continue her campaign. in Africa’s second most populous nation. army had seized those areas. Sources on
A fierce critic-turned ally of her former Besidesr, the election are expected to the ground, in Amhara indicated fierce
rival Biden, the 56-year-old California give Ethiopians an opportunity to give exchange of fire between government
Senator is one of only three Asian the PM a popular mandate or otherwise. forces and the TPLF]
Abiy came to power following the
The UN and experts have voiced
Americans in the Senate and she’s the resignation of former Prime Minister, concerns the conflict could not only
first African-American and Indian- Hailemariam Desalegn in 2018. break Ethiopia apart, but also reverberate
American ever to serve in the chamber. Last year, Abiy created the pan-Ethiopian across the region and draw in outside
And now she is about to make history Prosperity Party (EPP), which is poised forces. UN Secretary-General Antonio
as the first woman Vice president of the to replace the current ruling coalition, Guterres, who spoke to Abiy, Oct, 8,
United States. the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary “offered his good offices” to help.

30 | The Nile Explorer 011