Political capability, at a conceptual level, refers to the ability of a country\u2019s political institutions, elites, and society to shape collective goals, resolve conflicts peacefully, and translate public interest into actionable policies. In the current Ethiopian context, building political capability is directly linked to national survival and the construction of a democratic system.<\/p>\n
In a holistic sense, political capability in Ethiopia encompasses three fundamental pillars. The first pillar concerns institutional capacity,<\/em> specifically the ability of institutions such as the Election Board, the judiciary, and the Human Rights Commission to uphold the rule of law and remain free from political partisanship.<\/p>\n \u200bThe second pillar, a prerequisite for building political capability is elite consensus<\/em>. This refers to a minimum level of shared understanding among political forces regarding fundamental national issues, including the constitution, the form of government administration, and national symbols.<\/p>\n \u200bThirdly, the concept of political capability also involves inclusivity<\/em>, ensuring the genuine participation of various segments of society and diverse political perspectives in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n \u200bSeveral obstacles have hindered the growth of Ethiopia\u2019s political capability: and some of them include a Fluctuating Political Space<\/em>: While there are occasional reform attempts, the “rules of the game” among key political actors remain unclear. Group interests often overshadow the national interest.<\/p>\n \u200bCycles of Conflict:<\/em> Unnecessary regional conflicts, often driven by political ego, lead to cycles of violence rather than national capacity building. This is exacerbated by a lack of national conflict management capacity.<\/p>\n \u200bThe Role of Intellectuals:<\/em> Many prominent intellectuals have struggled to move beyond destructive political factionalism.<\/p>\n \u200bConflicting Historical Narratives: <\/em>The lack of a shared understanding of past historical events has hindered the construction of a forward-looking “political capability.”<\/p>\n \u200bDeep Examination: Institutions vs. Power<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u200bHistorically, Ethiopia has possessed a strong state structure for centuries, yet it has lacked the capability to transform that structure into lasting political stability and consensus.<\/p>\n \u200bThe Zero-Sum Game: <\/em>Because power has traditionally been transferred through force rather than peaceful negotiation, a culture of political consensus has failed to develop. This resulted in “zero-sum” politics, where one side’s win means the other side’s destruction.<\/p>\n \u200bErosion of Trust:<\/em> Over the last few decades, the country tried to build modern democratic institutions. However, these institutions often leaned toward loyalty to the ruling party rather than the national interest, eroding public trust in the democratic process.<\/p>\n \u200bPolitics over Law:<\/em> While a legal framework has existed for ages, the political capability to enforce it remains limited. When the rule of law clashes with political interests, politics almost always wins.<\/p>\n \u200bCurrent Opportunities and the “Middle Way”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u200bEthiopia’s greatest challenge is the inability to transform differences (ethnic, religious, and ideological) into national unity. While one side views the “old Ethiopia” as a symbol of oppression, the other sees it as a source of unity and pride.<\/p>\n A “middle way” to reconcile these narratives has yet to mature. \u200bHowever, the current era presents a unique opportunity.<\/p>\n \u200bPolitical Maturity: <\/em>Peace agreements like the Pretoria Accord, which sought to resolve conflicts through negotiation, signal a beginning of political maturity across all sides.<\/p>\n \u200bNational Dialogue: <\/em>The ongoing National Dialogue, despite its flaws, represents the first historical attempt to resolve fundamental differences through conversation. If successful, it will transition the country into a new chapter of political capability.<\/p>\n \u200bThe Synergy: State Building and Nation Building<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u200bPolitical capability and State Building are inextricably linked. Building a strong state is not just about infrastructure; it is about creating a legal and systemic framework that the public trusts.<\/p>\n \u200bState Building (The Body):<\/em> Focuses on institutional strength (justice, security, administration). A state is strong when leaders refrain from using institutions for personal or group gain.<\/p>\n \u200bNation Building (The Soul):<\/em> Focuses on creating a sense of “one people” among a diverse population. This involves fostering a shared identity through national symbols, values, and social cohesion.<\/p>\n \u200bKey Insight: <\/em>State building is the “skeleton” of the country, while nation building is its “soul.” Effective national progress is only guaranteed when institutional competence is harmonized with public unity.<\/p>\n \u200bDeveloping political capability means moving away from the “I win or the country perishes” mentality toward a culture of negotiation and compromise. It is measured not by the strength of individuals, but by the strength of institutions. It means winning with ideas rather than guns. Given Ethiopia’s historical and geopolitical pressures, building this capability is not a luxury\u2014it is a matter of survival.<\/p>\n Muhammed Seid (Amb.) has a diversified work experience in both government and non-governmental organizations. He currently works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. The views expressed in this article are personal and does not reflect the institution he works at.<\/em><\/p>\n Contributed by Muhammed Seid (Amb.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Political capability, at a conceptual level, refers to the ability of a country\u2019s political institutions, elites, and society to shape collective goals, resolve conflicts peacefully, and translate public interest into actionable policies. In the current Ethiopian context, building political capability is directly linked to national survival and the construction of a democratic system. 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