It is often forgotten that the worst dictators are often, early in their careers, lauded as reformers. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein was initially embraced as a “pragmatist” by diplomats and journalists alike. In 1991, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi the Nobel Peace Prize; only in subsequent decades would she expose herself as an apologist for ethnic cleansing. Of course, she is not the only figure to sully the preeminent peace prize’s legacy.

In Africa, the trend of reformists becoming dictators has been especially acute. Now, it appears, another Nobel laureate, Ethiopian transitional leader Abiy Ahmed, is heading down the same path. Perhaps buoyed by the praise he receives on his frequent post-Nobel trips abroad, but on 10th June 2020, Abiy announced that he would remain in office beyond the end of his term. For all of Abiy’s enthusiastic and, at times, naïve peacemaking abroad, his tenure has exacerbated ethnic tensions at home.

Reelection was no certainty, but his decision to seek to hold power extra-constitutionally precipitating conflict in Africa’s second-most populous country.

Abiy is weaker than he himself admits or realize. From transitional government to a transitional dictator in just 2 years. He is seeking to become another Ethiopian king where he verbally stated himself. Once he face critics from his own political party members, opposition leaders and activists then he unleash the security forces against the innocent civilians protesting. All opposition leaders, activists and scholars whom he once allowed to enter the country are all behind bar with false accusation.

This PM orchestrated the assassination of prominent Oromo singer. But the large Oromo and many other ethnic peoples will not stand for it. Unbridled ambition will lead to civil war in their respective states. This is in no one’s interest except the hypocrite Abiy Ahmed. With his mask on, Abiy can only be seen planting tree and writing poem on social media. With his mask off, kids, woman, elders and youths are being intimidated, arrested, raped and killed.

Rather than promote silly photo-ops with regional presidential meetings, Abiy has done nothing in leading the country toward democratic transition. I strongly suggest that the U.S. government should signal to Abiy that he risks pariah status if he continues his undemocratic tendencies. In fact, the UN Human Right, U.S. government should make strong pressure on Abiy Ahmed to release opposition leaders and all recently imprisoned journalist without any precondition.