When our sponsorship programme was launched in 2021, a partnership was established with Chirolaba secondary school. In exchange for taking in 10 students from Sona per year and per grade (grades 9 to 12), the school at Chirolaba made a large portion of its land available to us so that we could build the buildings to house our 40 or so boarders, dormitories, kitchen, common room, staff room, etc. In return, we undertook to help the school improve conditions as much as possible. In return, we undertook to help the school improve conditions as much as possible for the 1,400 students who attend it. The time it took to raise the funds and draw up the project meant that work began in 2024 on an ambitious project.
New classrooms for the Chirolaba school
The large number of pupils at the Chirolaba school quickly outstripped its capacity. So, in consultation with the school management and the education authorities, we decided to build 4 additional classrooms to bring the number of pupils down to around fifty per class and give them proper working conditions. In response to a more specific request from the teachers, sanitary facilities (photo opposite) were also built close to our buildings (the others are at the other end of the site) for them, but also for our 40 sponsored students...
A beautiful inauguration
Since 2020, Ethiopia has been experiencing troubled times and conflicts whose victims number in the tens of thousands (see our summary of the political situation in Ethiopia at the end of the article). In this sea of misfortune, where children are often the first victims, our fight for education and development sounds like a cry of hope. Nearly 100 people, including the local administrative and elected authorities, came to celebrate the opening of the block of 4 new classrooms, surrounded by jubilant pupils and teachers. It was a wonderful ceremony organised by Mihret and his local Foundation team, Agere and Baye. Asnake, Andualhem and their team were also honoured for the quality of their work. Naturally, we would have liked to have taken part, but unfortunately, the security situation is far too uncertain for us to make the trip without risk to our team and the Foundation.
About the project
Read or reread the description of the classroom project for the Chirolaba school. The project has been allocated a budget of CHF 120,000.
The political situation in Ethiopia since 2015 and the creation of the Foundation: between reform, conflict and instability
Ethiopia, a regional power in transition
Since 2015, Ethiopia has undergone major political upheaval, marked by democratic reforms, internal conflicts and regional tensions. Two key periods structure these developments:
1. The decline of the regime of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF, 2015-2018)
2. The Abiy Ahmed era (since 2018): democratic hopes, war in Tigray and persistent challenges
1. 2015-2018: the end of the EPRDF system and the beginnings of the crisis
A contested authoritarian regime
Since 1991, Ethiopia has been ruled by a coalition dominated by the EPRDF, bringing together several ethno-regional parties (TPLF for Tigray, OPDO for Oromia, etc.). This repressive but stable system enabled rapid economic growth, but also fuelled frustration:
- Authoritarianism: censorship, arrests of opponents (parties such as "Medrek" or "Ginbot 7").
- Ethnic inequalities: the TPLF (Tigrayan minority, 6 % of the population) controlled the army and intelligence services, giving rise to resentment.
The Oromo (2015-2016) and Amhara (2016-2018) revolts
- 2015: demonstrations break out in Oromia against a project to extend the Addis Ababa city limits (accused of expropriating Oromo farmers). Hundreds are killed in the crackdown.
- 2016: the movement extends to the Amharas, who denounce their political marginalisation. A state of emergency was declared in 2016 and again in 2018.
- 2018: Under pressure, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn resigns.
2. 2018-2020: the arrival of Abiy Ahmed and the hope of democracy
Abiy Ahmed, a charismatic reformer
In April 2018, Abiy Ahmed (OPDO, Oromo) became Prime Minister. He launched some spectacular reforms:
- Political liberalisation: release of prisoners (journalists, opponents), legalisation of banned parties.
- Peace with Eritrea (Nobel Peace Prize in 2019).
- Economy: partial opening up to privatisation (Ethio Telecom, Ethiopian Airlines).
The limits of reform
- Inter-ethnic violence: the end of state repression unleashes local conflicts (Oromias vs Somalis, Amharas vs Qemant).
- Fractures within the government: the TPLF, now sidelined, accuses Abiy of centralising power.
3. 2020-2022: the war in Tigray and the humanitarian crisis
The conflict with the TPLF
- November 2020: Abiy sends the federal army to Tigray after attacks on military bases by the TPLF.
- Atrocities and famine: massacres (as in Mai Kadra), humanitarian blockade, systematic rape.
- Regional expansion: the TPLF joins forces with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), threatening Addis Ababa at the end of 2021.
Turnaround (2022)
- March 2022: humanitarian truce under international pressure.
- November 2022: Pretoria peace agreement, but Amharas militias continue to fight in Tigray.
4. Since 2023: fragile peace and new challenges
A difficult end to the war
- Disarming the TPLF: slow and incomplete.
- Ongoing humanitarian crisis: 20 million people in need of aid (UN).
Persistent tensions
- Conflicts in Oromia and Amhara :
- The OLA (radical Oromo faction) leads an insurrection.
- The *Fano* militias (amharas) rebel against the disarmament imposed by Addis Ababa (2023-2024).
- Secessionist threats: Wolayta and Sidama groups call for greater autonomy.
Abiy Ahmed weakened
- 2021 elections: boycotted in Tigray, disputed victory for the Prosperity Party.
- Dependence on foreign partners: Turkey, Emirates, China.
Conclusion: an unfinished political transition
Ethiopia remains at a crossroads:
- If the peace in Tigray holds, the country could be rebuilt.
- But ethnic divisions, accusations of growing authoritarianism towards Abiy and economic crises (inflation, debt) threaten stability.
With a population of 120 million and a strategic position in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia's future hangs over the entire region.