Abiy Ahmed’s Roots in Beshasha: Campaign Posters and Local Pride
Along the dust‑covered road that leads from Jimma to the small town of Beshasha, bright campaign posters of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed flutter beside modest storefronts. The images, emblazoned with the Prosperity Party logo, have become a familiar sight for residents who view the prime minister not only as a national leader but also as a hometown hero.
A modest hometown with big expectations
Beshasha, home to roughly 8,000 inhabitants according to the Ethiopian Central Statistics Agency, is where Abiy was born in 1976 into a farming family of modest means.[4] He is the first person from the Oromo community—the country’s largest ethnic group, making up about 34 % of the population—to hold the office of prime minister.[1] For many locals, his rise shattered a long‑standing belief that an Oromo could never lead Ethiopia.
“Previously, we were told that an Oromo could never come to power. That is what we kept hearing. We never thought the leader of Ethiopia would come from this town,” says Haider Fayidi, a 29‑year‑old shopkeeper who has watched the town’s transformation over the past year.[1]
Development projects visible on the ground
Residents point to recent infrastructure upgrades as tangible signs of change. Within eight to nine months, contractors completed a newly paved road connecting Beshasha to Jimma, the nearest major town in Oromia.[2] Along this route, a small library has opened, and dozens of brand‑new shops line the immaculate surface.
- Road paving: Jimma–Beshasha stretch, completed early 2024.
- Public library: inaugurated March 2024, offering free internet access.
- Commercial growth: over 30 new retail units opened since January 2024.
Fayidi adds, “We didn’t expect roads like this to be built here. Within just eight or nine months, they completed projects that transformed the area.”[1] Such projects are part of a broader government push to improve connectivity in rural Oromia, a priority highlighted in the World Bank’s Ethiopia Rural Roads Assessment (2023).[2]
Oromo representation and historic significance
The Oromo people have historically faced political marginalisation, a narrative that Abiy’s ascent directly challenges. His election in 2018 was celebrated across Oromo communities as a breakthrough moment, and the prime minister’s frequent references to his Beshasha roots reinforce that narrative during campaign events.
Local farmer Abdulqadir Abagaron, 59, who knew Abiy before he entered politics, recalls the prime minister’s early inclination toward peacemaking: “He has always possessed a uniquely gifted nature given to him by God, even from childhood. He was truly a special child. Even back then, he was someone who consistently worked to bring peace.”[1]
Balancing praise and criticism
Abiy’s international reputation rose sharply after he was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in restoring peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.[5] However, his tenure has also been marked by conflict. The Tigray war, which erupted in late 2020 and lasted until a cease‑fire in late 2022, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths according to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.[3] Relations with Eritrea have since deteriorated again, raising concerns about a possible renewal of hostilities.
Critics argue that the administration has become increasingly authoritarian, pointing to restrictions on press freedom and the consolidation of power within the Prosperity Party, which currently holds 96 % of seats in the outgoing parliament.[1] Nevertheless, in Beshasha the sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, a phenomenon locals describe as “Abiymania.”
Looking ahead to the June 1 vote
Abiy is scheduled to cast his vote in Beshasha on 1 June, ahead of the general election. In preparation, dozens of residents have volunteered to clean the streets and tidy public spaces, hoping to showcase their town’s progress on the national stage.[1] The election will test whether the prime minister’s promise of continued reform and development can translate into another landslide victory for the Prosperity Party.
While the road ahead remains uncertain, the posters lining Beshasha’s streets serve as a reminder of how a leader’s personal narrative can shape local perceptions of national change.
