Former Addis Ababa Mayor Dr. Arkebe Oqubay on the 2005 Election, His Tenure, and Today's Youth
In a comprehensive interview with the media outlet African Pulse, former Mayor of Addis Ababa, Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, shared extensive insights into the root causes of the 2005 (1997 EC) general election crisis, the institutional challenges he faced during his tenure, and the political consciousness of the current generation.
Dr. Arkebe opened his commentary by highlighting national resilience:
"As our history teaches us, the people of Ethiopia possess an immense capacity to rise as profoundly as we fall, and to find dawn no matter how dark the night gets."
He further emphasized the broader national significance of democratic processes, stating for nations like Ethiopia, an election is not merely a contest for political power. It is a critical matter of national survival a mechanism to peacefully accommodate the public's desire for change, build a democratic culture, and strengthen our national unity.
The Reality Behind the 2005 Election Unrest
Addressing the post-election violence of 2005, Dr. Arkebe challenged common historical narratives.
We frequently see many commentators and writers attribute the 2005 unrest to the public's intense desire for democracy and change, as well as a lack of trust in the integrity of the election results due to allegations of rigging. It is an undeniable fact that there were numerous young people yearning for change. However, anyone who understands what was being orchestrated and rumoured just months before the election and why the focus was strictly placed on Addis Ababa can easily comprehend the true origins of that unrest.
Recalling the atmosphere two to three months prior to the election, Dr. Arkebe noted A series of false narratives were actively disseminated. Rumours claimed that the EPRDF was abducting and detaining youth, that identity-based crimes were being committed, that individuals were being targeted and executed based on their ethnicity, that citizens could no longer safely work or move around, and that living costs had doubled to unsustainable levels. They even went as far as fabricating claims that an individual had been killed right at the gates of the Mayor’s Office.
These were entirely manufactured falsehoods, engineered well before any actual events took place, designed specifically to instigate the youth into violence ahead of the election. The cumulative impact of these manoeuvres left a dark stain on Ethiopian history. Innocent youths, completely unaware of the underlying political machinations, were subjected to beatings, mass detentions, and loss of life. It was a tragic period that no peace-loving citizen who detests political intrigue would ever wish to see repeated.
Dr. Arkebe also shed light on why the capital was targeted so heavily, explaining that organizers operated under the strategic assumption that once we control Addis Ababa, we can systematically take control of the other regions over time.
Institutional Challenges and Governance During His Tenure
Reflecting on the operational bottlenecks he faced as Mayor, Dr. Arkebe revealed internal resistance and financial misconduct within the administration.
When I was the Mayor of Addis Ababa, certain leadership figures would demand at least 20% of the budget allocated for the city for themselves, using the pretext of We fought in the struggle, we shed blood and sweat, and we paid a heavy price.
He added Furthermore, there was a significant number of individuals within the political landscape who actively resisted the development and transformation of Addis Ababa. Despite this, we utilized the remaining budget, engaged and mobilized various stakeholders, and successfully executed the construction of condominium housing, urban road networks, and various other developmental projects.
The Character and Consciousness of Today’s Youth
Shifting his focus to the current generation, Dr. Arkebe expressed strong confidence in the analytical capacity of today's Ethiopian youth.
Like any other population, the people of Ethiopia desire development. If you deliver tangible development and chart a clear path for them, today's youth will not listen to any destructive forces. We now have a generation that thinks ahead, rationalizes deeply, and scrutinizes information independently using the digital networks at their disposal. The era when a select few could herd the public and the youth like sheep is over.
He emphasized this shift decisively:
"Today's youth will not take to the streets just because they are told to close roads, burn houses, or kill and hang someone. They use their own minds and are focused on building their own lives. You will no longer find a youth willing to sacrifice their life for someone else's agenda, burn down people's property, destroy infrastructure, or smash windows."
Navigating Recent National Challenges
Concluding his analysis, Dr. Arkebe reflected on the country’s recent political trials and expressed optimism regarding public maturity.
I say this because I have closely observed the agendas that have been pushed over the past months and years. One thing is clear agendas were deliberately engineered not just to destroy infrastructure, but to incite mutual destruction and deadly conflict among us. Yet, look at where we are today, we have made it through without any major upheaval. If those manufactured agendas had succeeded, we wouldn't be here today speaking about Ethiopia. We are all talking right now because Ethiopia endures and its people are living in peace.
This demonstrates that the public has chosen to focus strictly on facts supported by verified information. Had that not been the case, we would have torn each other apart by now, much like the Rwandan tragedy. Every divisive issue imaginable has been raised in Ethiopia religion, identity-based politics, and ethnic polarization. However, the public saw through to the truth and overcame it all.
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