Ethiopia holds a unique place in Africa, symbolizing resilience and historical pride. It is the only African country to successfully resist colonization and has a rich cultural heritage that includes a distinctive alphabet, numerical system, artistic traditions, and literary history. On the other hand, Ethiopia is also known negatively for its recurrent struggles with political instability, civil wars, poverty, and famine.
The country is endowed with abundant natural resources. Known as the "Water Tower" of East Africa, Ethiopia is home to twelve major river basins, including the Blue Nile, and several lakes, such as Lake Tana, the largest in the country. These water bodies offer immense potential for biodiversity, fishing, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and transportation. Yet, only about 2% of this potential has been harnessed (Arsano, 2007). In addition to its water resources, Ethiopia has vast expanses of fertile agricultural land, with approximately 60% of its area considered suitable for farming. However, only 10% of this land is currently under cultivation (Asefa, 2015).
Despite its favorable climate, fertile soil, and rich human and natural resources, Ethiopia remains one of the most impoverished nations in the world. Chronic dependence on food aid has made it one of the largest recipients of such assistance in Africa (Girma & Jacob, 1988). While natural disasters, particularly erratic weather conditions, are frequently blamed, these factors alone cannot fully be responsible for the country’s poverty. This paper argues that the root causes of Ethiopia's chronic poverty and food insecurity lie in its political systems.
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- Yimegnutal Nibret (Author), 2024, Poverty in Ethiopia: A Political Lens, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1567548
