Critical discourse analysis of the second inaugural speech of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Figures & data

Figure 1. Graphic representation of van Dijk’s Socio cognitive approach.

Table 1. Lexical items used by the speaker

No	Lexical items	No	Lexical items
1	God	6	Inclusive
2	Danger (threat)	7	Promise
3	Ethiopia	8	Medemer (synergy)
4	Revere	9	democratic system
5	History

Table 2. The pronoun we used to meet the purpose of the speaker

No.	Text	Paragraph and line
I	show inclusiveness
1	We are astonishing people …	Para. 2, line 7
2	Though some individuals are trying to tell us that we are incapable, we shall prove them wrong by citing from the shining historical deeds of our father on one hand and by proving that we are Ethiopians	Para. 2, line18 to 21
3	The hopes awaiting us tomorrow is not any lesser compared to the sense of pride we have for our previous victories. The basic question is how determined we are to make this hope a reality? We have to repeatedly ask ourselves. Ethiopia prospers only as much as we wish it to and no better than what we have planned for our collective Visions	Para. 2, line 22 to 26
4	We shall keep this promise …	Para. 2, line 27
II	represent the government
1	Even though the six national elections was not as perfect, flawless and successful as we wished it to be …	Para. 3, line 6
2	We have now reached a period where political power emerges only from true popular polls (votes)	para. 3, line 8
3	We have reached an era where people have proven to have owned sovereign political Power	para. 3, line 10
4	Our people have discharged their citizenry stakes proudly and in a typically Ethiopian way regardless …	paragraph 3, line 11
5	threats posed against sovereignty of our country …	Para. 3, line 14
6	If we carefully utilize this opportunity …	Para. 2, line???
7	We shall be committed and stand to win the multilayered problems united and cooperatively through medemer	Para. 4, line 5
8	On our part, we shall strongly strive to realize vision of building a state which is made by all, for all and of all the people through inclusive and participatory governance	Para. 4, line 6).
9	We shall work hard to make sure that our political system is not only a reflection of the interest of the winning group but also a result of our consensus	Para. 4, line 8
10	As history starkly reveals, our internal conflicts (disputes) benefited our enemies and made us point of ridicule	Para. 4, line 10–11
11	The year to come shall be a year we enjoy the beauty of our diversity …, compromise our differences which could narrow down …	Para. 4, line 13
12	We shall undertake an inclusive national dialogue forum to help us realize this ideal	Para. 4, line 14
13	This process of national dialogue not only accommodates political elites and all parties who believe that our differences can be dealt with over a table …	Para. 4, line 15
14	The conflict we have in the Northern part of our country …	Para.5, line 1
15	Enemies, supported by their servants and masters, caused a brutal attack on our precious Northern Command using	Para.5, line 5
16	Even recently by the time we declared unilateral ceasefire to give it cooling time …	(parag.5, line 6).
17	The enemy … . Attacked Ethiopians thereby forcing us into a war which we didn’t like to happen	paragraph 5, line 10
18	It has to be clear that we were forced into the war for survival to which there was no other option	parag.5, line 11
19	It should also be clear that whenever we parade for a rally or go into armed conflict	Para.5, line 12
20	Our principal enemies are those who try to destroy the country …	Para. 5, line12
21	It should be clear that our problem is with those hate mongers and conspiracy brewers	Parg.5, line 14
22	Our country shall build a reliable security institution having an appropriate stance …	Para. 5, line 15
23	At this very moment where we have been defending evil ambition threatening our sovereignty and national integrity, the intention we see on part of the international sources have forced us to review our history. We have passed across two conflicting realities pertinent to our long-lived diplomatic relations	Para. 6, line 1 to 3
24	While there are countries who have sustained friendly ties with us as before …	Para. 6, line 8
25	However, we don’t allow our partnership to go at the expense of the dignity and sovereignty of Ethiopia … . Our hearts and doors are open for support and advice as well as best wishes of countries which approach us with a sense of love and respect	para.6 line 6,and 8
26	We, Ethiopians, strive to establish a prosperous continent through a principle called African solutions to African Problems	Para. 7, line 1
27	We strive to discharge our responsibility like never before. In our sub-continent, we have more things to cooperate for than to fight with each other, more things which tie us together than those which separate us	Para. 7, line 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
III	to include and exclude others
1	Beyond the obvious immense economic and social benefits, the Renaissance Dam has to offer us; it is a grand project which strengthens regional ties and good neighborhood. Here us include Ethiopians and the neighbors.	Para.8, line 2
2	Abbay is an instance of our rising, a symbol of our self-sufficiency and a rope which tied us together. For Abbay has glued us together with its abstract magic, strengthen us with its intangible power, and elevated our self-reliance, people from all walks of lives.	Para. 8, line 4 to 6.
3	All Ethiopians have committed to finalize construction of the dam contributing finance from their scarcity. The dam shall be completed. Our dear neighbors and children of the Abbay [Nile], so long as you understand our stand, I would like to reassure you that all Ethiopians are ready to cooperate over the river in a mutually benefitting manner enjoying regional integration where every party wins	Para. 8, line 9 to 10
IV	represent Ethiopia’s government including the poor and the plans
1	In a bid to realize our plans to make this country prosperous, we strongly strive to ensure a multi-sectorial and multi-party economy which benefits a lot of participants.	Paragraph 9, line 1–3
	We shall work to ensure that we have a private sector-dominated economy, an international …
2	The government recognizes that economic measures which had been taken in the past few years to regulate inflation affected the poorest segment of the society	Para. 9, line 6
3	Sharing the burden of inflation from this segment of society shall be among the economic regulatory measures given priority by the government for the years to come to protect these citizens from economic pressure …	Para. 9, line 8 to 10
V	represent the government as vague
1	Our visions, the goals, and sound objectives we set can be realized as much as our implementation capacity. The vision was not clearly stated	Para. 10, line 1
2	Some of our plans on the shelves and stunted beginnings from some of our planned projects have made us stuck somewhere or worse yet slide back to where we were. We strive hard to introduce fast service supported by technology … convenient public service to be equipped with a culture of completing started up projects to solve grievances and disappointments of citizens “We” is used vaguely with some.	Para. 10, line 3–5
3	We will give special attention to corruption (theft) not just as a petty offense but as a great security and survival challenge. (Here the reference is unclear or vague).	Para. 10, line 7

Table 3. The pronouns (they, them, their)

No	Text	Paragraph and line
1	Ethiopia shall never forget your deeds as it’s used to cherish historical heroes who stood on its side when their contribution was critically sought.	Paragraph 1, line 8
2	Though some individuals are trying to tell us that we are incapable, we shall prove them wrong by citing …	paragraph 2, line 19
3	Challenges posed by foreign actors by confronting every odd coming against their interest	Paragraph 3, line 15
4	Our people have discharged their citizenry stakes proudly … .their interest.	Paragraph 3, lines 12 and 15
5	This war is a war caused by a few people who assume that there should never be a country which they would not operate and maneuver it the way they wish. Enemies, supported by their servants and masters, caused a brutal attack on our precious Northern Command using their devastating arms and destructive weaponry.	Paragraph 5, lines 2 to 3
6	a promise for the mothers and fathers who are diligently and tirelessly serving the country with their sweat and hard work	paragraph 12 lines 18, 29 and 30

Table 4. The Oromo and Gamo fathers saying

No .	Who?	The Sayings
1	Oromo fathers	“Walii galaan ala galaan” (consensus and mutual understanding brings one into a more convenient place where solutions will be designed for immediate problems)
		“Akka durii fi harka xuriittii hinhafan” (a filthy hand and poor personality should necessarily be cleaned).
2	Gamo saying	One who fails to plough with others for a year is doomed to plough alone for seven years

Table 5. Topics and proposition used in the inaugural speech

No.		Topic	Proposition
		Topic 1: Ethiopia realizes new government	Proposition 1: Ethiopia realize new government
a		Ethiopia reveres the heroines and heroes
b		I am born and grown as an Ethiopian having qualities of resilience’s audacity and defiance.
c		Ethiopians prioritize national interest
d		Ethiopians are ardent zealous and reliable troops
		Topic 2: Ethiopia is inclusive	Proposition 2: Ethiopia is inclusive
a.		Ethiopia first to accept Christianity
b		Ethiopia first to cry muezzin
c		Ethiopians know rulings brilliant in arts and crafts
d		Ethiopians are wise and endowed with golden culture
e		Ethiopia is cradle of civilization
f		Ethiopia is never colonized
g		Ethiopia supports anti-colonial movements
h		Ethiopia is shining symbol of motherhood and African identity
		Topic 3: efforts to set up democratic effort over the last half century	Proposition 3: Ethiopia is inclusive
a		Questions like identity equality, freedom and equity have been asking over half the century
b		People from all walk of life raised their lives and paid due price to realize Them
c		The six national election was not successful
d		However it opens a new chapter to set up and consolidate democratic System
e		The people have proven that they have owned sovereign political power Ethiopians discharge their citizenry role proudly and in typically Ethiopian way irrespective of natural and artificial existential challenges they face against their will from foreign countries.
		Topic 4: Medemer brings consensus and solutions to our immediate problems	Proposition 4: efforts to set up democratic systems are continuing
a		The election victory worth nothing if Ethiopians and Ethiopia fail to win Together
b		the victory of a single party never solves the multilayered problems
c		the election is a means to work together cooperatively
d		The government works hard to realize a new model of government made by the people for the people and of the people the majority vote never Helps
e		When a party win following majority vote it brings conflict disputes
f		history/our/tell us our enemies capitalize this practice; they ridicule us due to this
g		consensus and mutual understanding brings one to more convenient place wherein solution will be designed from immediate problem
h		This helps us to enjoy diversity compromise differences respect each other and march towards the new heights of development
i		to undertake this national dialogue forum will be done to help this ideal
j		it accommodates all political elites all political parties which believe the table helps, all members of the community
k		It will be governed by a system which will be led by Ethiopians to generate local solutions to our problems.
		Topic 5: the causes of the war in the North	Proposition 5: working together can solve our local problems
a		it was motivated by arrogance and treason
b		it brought us severe consequences
c		those started the war were themselves maneuvering the nation in the way they wish
d		the enemy attacked the Northern command since they were supported by their servants and masters
e		the enemy used devastating army and devastating weaponry
f		The enemy violates the unilateral ceasefire
g		even the enemy violated the unilateral ceasefire the Federal Government reached
h		It mobilized young children armed, demolished looted institutions, destroyed schools and health posts, attacked families killed to their demise, killed innocent civilians, shot and indiscriminately killed much cared cattle of the farmers, profaned religious institutions and attacked Ethiopians thereby forcing us into a war which we didn’t like to happen.
i		It has to be clear that we were forced into the war for survival.
j		It should also be clear that whenever we parade for a rally or go into armed conflict, our principal enemies are those who try to destroy the country, obstruct the people, and assume power by force and conspiracy to fill their pockets illegally.
k		It should be clear that our problem is with those hate mongers and conspiracy brewers—and with nobody else
l		Our country shall build a reliable security institution having an appropriate stance which is able to help overcome external and internal challenges and ensure its sustainable national interest.
		Topic 6: Diplomatic relations must be reviewed	Proposition 6: It is legitimate to fight the enemy
a		countries betray Ethiopia like before
b		countries sustain friendly ties
c		Ethiopia needs partnership to realize development but not at the expense of sovereignty and dignity
d		countries supporting and advising us are welcome
		Topic 7: Ethiopia follows African solutions to African problems policy in Africa	Proposition 7: the government should revise its diplomatic ties
a		Ethiopian strives for African interest in the world forums
b		Ethiopia dreams to see Africa united
c		Africans can unit than to separate
d		Cooperation will solve Africans problems since their destiny is interrelated
e		our resources unit us
		Topic 8: Abay has huge economic utility and metaphorical implications to Africans	Proposition 8: Ethiopia follows a principle Africans solve African problems’
a		it is a grand project
b		it has economic and symbolic power to Africans
c		Ethiopian committed to finalize it
d		Ethiopians are called to contribute more
e		the government is determined to finalize it
f		the government reassures that Ethiopians cooperate if every party wins
		Topic 9: Ethiopia follows a multi sectorial and multi-party economy to benefit all	Proposition 9: Abay having an economic and psychological power should be shared
a		to have a private sector-dominated economy, an internationally competitive and well-networked trade and investment
b		It enjoys government support ensures equitable growth, creates sufficient and reliable employment opportunities for citizens.
c		The government recognizes economic measures had that been taken in the past few years to regulate inflation have not brought the desired result
d		The poorest segment of society has been victimized.
e		Sharing the burden of inflation from this segment of society shall be among the economic regulatory measures given priority by the government
		Topic 10: The need to improve the government implementation capacity	Proposition 10: the /our economy policy should be revised
a		The new government shall be one which thinks, plans and implements-
b		some of our plans on the shelves and stunted beginnings from some of our planned projects have made us stuck somewhere
c		we strive hard to introduce fast service supported by technology and convenient public service to be equipped with a culture of completing started up projects
d		grievances and disappointments of citizens should be solved
e		We will give special attention to corruption (theft) not just as a petty offense but as a great security and survival challenge
		11. Topic: the reform has success and failures	Proposition 11: There are ways for the new government to improve its implementation capacities
a		individuals and groups feel losers because they are against democracy and justice
b		there are problems we face when we follow the path of development
c		the government will capitalizes its success and minimizes its mistakes
d		the reform should consider the timely quest of this generation and ideals of the time
e		the reform should have institutional base and public support
f		our successors will correct our mistakes and finish planned projects
g		Ethiopians can solve hatred that challenge our unity, defeat poverty increases our vulnerability to our enemies
h		We shall stand as one body with Ethiopian sense of unity and strive to replace hatred with mutual understanding, oppression with democracy, poverty with prosperity, vulnerability to enemies
i		The government builds a strong national security force.
		Topic 12: The virtues Ethiopians should follow	Proposition 12: The government will keep on its reform agenda
a		A filthy hand and poor personality should be cleaned
b		The challenges Ethiopia has been facing are springboards for her development; they are the means to rise up
c		Ethiopia uproots its major problems
d		the government renews its commitment