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The Millennium week was a success by almost all
counts; Addis Abebans hit public spaces at
unprecedented levels in a celebratory mood and with
surprisingly few incidents of harm. The atmosphere
that was created by each and every participant is
truly something special.
Possibly the most encouraging steps, however, were
seen in unexpected actions from unlikely sources,
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian
Telecommunications Corporation (ETC). As much as the
general outburst of pride and enthusiasm is
unprecedented, the slightest movements towards more
openness from these sources deserves due attention.
ETC, the state-owned telecommunications monopoly,
has many faults and is an easy target for criticism;
some originate from its own peculiarities in faulty
service provision and internal squabbles. Most stem
from the common deficiencies in any public
enterprise devoid of sufficient profit incentives to
be innovative and meet the demands of the market.
The Corporation surprised many though when Short
Message Service (SMS) was reinstated on the eve,
possibly contributing to the general congestion felt
on the night that is characteristic of the strained
network. This is a positive move both for its
practical implications and the symbolic meaning
attached.
A
cheaper and less intrusive service than normal
calls, SMS is no anomaly, as it is available in
almost any country and any area where mobile service
exists. Instead of the often obnoxious rings
incessantly heard in every public venue eliciting
yelling replies, often cut when the network fails -
thus, eliciting a return call and draining the
budget - an SMS message is less noticeable in a
meeting or restaurant.
The real message in reinstating the service however,
lies in a concrete example of reconciliation after
SMS was revoked for allegedly aiding protestors and
ralliers to commit illegal acts during the post-May
2005 elections period. The politically motivated act
has been revoked, though the past two or so years of
non-service can never be undone. Bringing the
service back is correct though a modest gesture
should not be taken to heavily by losing the memory
of a strong-arm move by a state irresponsibly
controlling communication outlets.
Nonetheless it is a positive step forward, but not
big enough. Lifting the wider controls over contact
amongst the populace and to the outside world would
be wiser. This would encourage a private company to
capture the vast potential in a country of 80 some
million growing economically at an impressive rate.
The market would set many an entrepreneur drooling.
Little baby steps like reinstating a service common
to the rest of the world would not be such a big
deal if the starting block for the move was not so
backwards.
Moreover, the web-browsing and email services that
will be offered only to those that have purchased a
new SIM card available at Bole International Airport
should be offered to all paying customers able to
afford the luxury. Making the investment of another
SIM card is impractical to most and frustrating to
the minority who would make use of a welcomed
outside world connection.
Defying expectations and established trends even
more was the commendable behaviour of Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi on two counts. For security reasons or
otherwise, it is rare to see the leader of a country
publicly. Protected by an entourage of security, any
appearances are well planned events and cause for
excitement. Seeing the Prime Minister dancing almost
uninhibitedly at the Millennium concert hall in the
same show of felicity that could be felt across the
town was a treat.
This symbolic of connection to a people that feel
distanced from their leaders is to be welcomed,
remembered and encouraged to continue.
Perhaps the most surprising act was a complete
turnabout in the Prime Minister's interaction with
the private media. Previously chastising the press
for irresponsibility and worse, the relationship was
tenuous at best. Papers were shut down in mass two
years ago and Ethiopia repeatedly receives low
ratings by international groups for freedom of
speech and penetration of the media.
However, the Prime Minister chose to write on a
private newspaper on this occasion of the
Millennium. Though the decision was not accompanied
by any reasons for the turn of face, actions speak
louder than words. It is not the content of the
Prime Minister's writing that is monumental, though
the personal nature of the reflections on Ethiopia
apart from the party he represents with tinges of
pan-Africanism were a little surprising.
Engagement with the private press is healthy and
normal across the globe; it helps people get
uncensored views into the management of their
country. This trend also should be perpetuated.
More than anything else, these three isolated
occurrences convey a message that there is more than
rhetoric behind the Millennium hype. Gradual
reconciliation on many matters may be real, in some
facets.
Of course, it is easy to be bold in movements
forward when the basis from where the three actions
began was so disappointing. Never should the
circumstances that made these decisions momentous be
forgotten. But it is incumbent on people of all
sides of the coin to recognise that they are
positive and work to continue them, especially on
the part of the government who holds the power to
make this next year along these lines. |
