In its long history, Ethiopia has seen a few political contours. These range from politics based on alleged divine will to scientific materialism - as a rejection of divine ascription - and to ethno-linguistic politics. While political personalities greatly differed from one another, one can legitimately argue that authoritarianism, the use of force and fear as a means of governing was common to all of them.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed so far has shown that he is a different breed. It's as though he came already conscious of the abject failure of displays of strength, aloofness and fear in leadership role. He replaced aloofness with authenticity and went as far as acknowledging that his party was committing terrorist acts. People found him easy to trust. Instead of strength and force, he deployed a rather vulnerable alternative - love. People across ethnic and religious boundaries reciprocated the affection.
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