Meles Zenawi’s World Bank Ragesource:
https://www.africandictator.org/?p=3137
Meles Zenawi’s World Bank Rage
Comments made by former World Bank country director for Ethiopia KenOhashi in a newspaper column have infuriated Ethiopian Dictator Meles Zenawi.The comments were scathing, and criticized Zenawi’s prized economicplans as unrealistic. Ohashi also spoke out against the oppressivepolitical and social environment in the dictatorship.
Outspoken Critic
The comments concluded Ohashi’s Ethiopian activities and were thelast in a series of three commentaries published in the newspaper. Hewas different from his predecessors for his decisions to engagepolicymakers in Ethiopia in public debates, publishing his views innewspapers.
Disastrous GTP
He was known for his scepticism on the viability of theadministration’s signature plan outlined in the GTP. The former WorldBank Country Director believes that no country – not even China – exceptthose with “explosive increase in natural resource extraction,” couldsustain an economic growth espoused in the high scenario of Ethiopia’sgovernment plan.
In one of his recent commentaries, Ohashi criticised the governmentfor its failure in identifying the economy’s comparative advantage andits inabilities in “reducing cost of transactions.” He is also a firmbeliever that “national ideologies” are a recipe for “nationalblinders,” and argued that Ethiopia lacks the culture of debate anddialogue in the market of ideas.
“neo-liberal” jibes by Zenawi
Zenawi retaliated when questioned about the articles, saying that“The individual was on his way to retirement,” Meles told Parliament,while his appearance was televised live to the nation. “He has noaccountability in distorting the institutions positions and in settlinghis accounts.” And “The individual is used to giving directions alonghis neo-liberal views,” said Meles. “The Ethiopian government has itsown view that is different from the individual.”
The Prime Minister told Parliament that Ohashi could not succeed inimposing his “neo-liberal views” on the Ethiopian government, hence thesource of his frustration.
Ohashi disagreed, saying that his intention was to provide ideas that would benefit the people of Ethiopia.
“I had no intention of imposing any ideas of my own, which is not auseful exercise in any case, no matter what the country we are talkingabout,” Ohashi said.
And why not insult the IMF, too?
The spat is the latest in Zenawi’s struggles with internationalbodies- he has also just slammed the IMF’s latest economic forecast.
In a statement released on May 31, the IMF slashed this year’s andnext year’s growth rate forecast of Ethiopia to 7.5 and 6 percentagainst the government’s official estimate of at least 11 percent. Ifthe IMF forecasts prove accurate, it will be a sign of utter failure ofthe GTP because the government envisages doubling the economy during theperiod– growing it between 11 and 15 percent annually.
Meles said the two international lenders are frustrated by theirinability to dictate economic policies and impose neoliberal ideology.
Of course, his economic plans are historically flawed and hopelesslyimpractical, but he retains the ability to attract foreign aid andinvestment. This ability could be severely hampered by such outbursts.
- Indicators: Zenawi is a dictator who refuses to listen to advice from outsiders- even when it is sound advice, preferring the
- hold that he has over his economy,