By replacing polarizing narratives with shared civic history and enforcing legal accountability, state media and community leaders seek to curb social-media-driven friction.
Addis Ababa, (AMECO) — Countering identity-based conflict requires dismantling the hate narratives that fuel ethnic division and replacing them with a shared civic history, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Amhara Media Corporation (AMECO), Abiy addressed the recurring cycles of identity-based violence amplified by online disinformation and hostile propaganda. He framed the systematic vilification of neighbouring communities as the primary trigger for inter-communal distrust.
Diagnosing the Mechanics of Division
Ethnic friction is frequently exacerbated by the weaponisation of history, where selective narratives portray specific communities as perpetual adversaries. On digital platforms, unvetted claims can rapidly escalate local disputes into widespread civil unrest.
Diagnosing this operational driver, Abiy emphasized that conflict often stems less from inherent cultural incompatibilities than from manufactured hostility.
“In my belief, the root cause is, first, a narrative of hate,” Abiy stated. “The act of painting one group as the destroyer, killer, or looter makes people view each other with suspicion and enmity.”
Promoting Shared History as a Peacebuilding Tool
To counter divisive propaganda, the government is advocating a cultural peacebuilding model centered on civic integration and shared national history.
Rather than focusing exclusively on points of historical grievance, state media and public institutions are being urged to highlight centuries of social integration—including intermarriage, adoption, and internal migration—that have linked Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups.
As a concrete historical example, the administration points to civic milestones such as the 17th-century royal court of Fasil Ghebbi in Gondar, which historically drew advisors, soldiers, and scholars from across different regions and ethnic backgrounds.
“We need media that highlights these shared histories rather than just talking about conflict,” Abiy urged, calling for news outlets and community leaders to prioritize constructive narratives that reinforce social cohesion.
Balancing Narrative Reframing with the Rule of Law
While shifting public discourse forms a long-term preventive measure, peacebuilding scholars note that narrative reframing alone cannot resolve deep-seated political grievances. For cultural solutions to be effective, they must be paired with consistent enforcement of the rule of law and equal protection for all citizens.
Addressing this institutional requirement, the administration noted that narrative peacebuilding must operate alongside legal mechanisms that hold perpetrators of hate speech and violence accountable, ensuring that freedom of expression is not weaponized to incite mass conflict.
