In the realm of bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, few experiences can match the frustration and despair of attempting to obtain or renew a passport in Ethiopia. It is a process that promises much but delivers little, leaving countless individuals stranded in a web of red tape and endless waiting. In this editorial, we shed light on the harrowing reality faced by those seeking the most fundamental of travel documents and call for a much-needed overhaul of the passport issuance system.
At the heart of this nightmarish ordeal lies a staggering lack of efficiency within the immigration authorities of Ethiopia. It is an open secret that securing an appointment with these authorities is an exercise in futility. Promised dates come and go, leaving hopeful applicants in a perpetual state of limbo. The sheer magnitude of the problem becomes apparent when one realizes that hundreds of thousands of individuals are left waiting for their passports for an excruciatingly long period, often exceeding eight months to a year.
Expressing frustration is an understatement when it comes to describing the emotions experienced by those entangled in this bureaucratic quagmire. The dreams of individuals eagerly anticipating their passports are shattered, replaced by a sense of helplessness and disillusionment. As a result, scores of foreign workers, who contribute to the Ethiopian economy, are forced to seek alternative employment opportunities in neighboring countries, such as Kenya, due to the authorities’ failure to renew their permits or issue new ones.
The dire state of passport issuance in Ethiopia is a stark reflection of a system in disarray. As the inefficiencies and corruption continue to plague the process, the country finds itself at a crossroads, teetering on the precipice of further decay. It is disheartening to contemplate the repercussions of a society where the very institutions entrusted to serve the people are marred by inefficiency, corruption, and indifference. If Ethiopia is to reclaim its standing as a beacon of progress and opportunity, urgent action must be taken to rectify the passport issuance system and restore faith in the government’s ability to govern fairly and effectively.
What is perhaps most disheartening is the apparent disregard the immigration authorities have for the aspirations and needs of their own citizens. While the process of obtaining a passport for government employees appears to be expedited, the same cannot be said for the rest of the populace. This discriminatory approach not only undermines the principle of equality but also sends a clear message that the authorities believe themselves to be entitled, indifferent to the plight of ordinary citizens.
As a tax-paying citizen, it is not only disheartening but deeply disappointing to find oneself at the mercy of a passport issuance process that favors government employees at the expense of the general public. The very individuals who contribute to the nation’s development through their taxes are subjected to interminable waiting periods, while those in positions of power and privilege secure passports with ease. This flagrant display of inequality not only undermines the principles of justice and fairness but also erodes the trust and confidence citizens place in their government.
It is disheartening to witness a system where those entrusted with serving the public prioritize government employees over the very citizens who fund their operations through their hard-earned taxes. This blatant disregard for fairness and equal treatment further exacerbates the agony experienced by individuals awaiting their passports.
The inefficiency that plagues the authorities overseeing passport issuance in Ethiopia is beyond comprehension. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly evident that progress is only attainable through the greasing of palms. Corruption has permeated every level of the system, transforming what should be a straightforward process into a harrowing journey of extortion. It is a disheartening reality where individuals are left with no choice but to part with their hard-earned money in order to secure the basic right of a passport. The rampant corruption within the authorities responsible for passport issuance in Ethiopia have reached unimaginable levels. It is deeply concerning that obtaining a passport has become synonymous with bribes and under-the-table dealings, where progress is only made when money exchanges hands.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the ability to travel freely and engage with the international community is paramount. However, the current state of passport issuance in Ethiopia stands as a formidable barrier to these aspirations. Urgent reform is not only necessary but imperative. It is high time that the immigration authorities take stock of their inefficiencies, tackle corruption head-on, and prioritize the needs of the people they are meant to serve. Only through a concerted effort to rectify this broken system can Ethiopia reclaim its position as a nation that empowers its citizens and facilitates their engagement with the world.
The current situation not only reflects a broken system, but also raises concerns about the future of efficient governance and the ability of the authorities to serve the needs of its citizens.
Why Elon Musk is fighting a crucial battle for free speech
X (formerly Twitter) is suing watchdog Media Matters, accusing it of manipulating a hate speech report to tarnish the platform’s reputation
By Russian Market
Since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, there has been a prevailing intuition that the platform, since renamed to X, would inevitably emerge as a potent challenger to establishment media.
Whether it’s unraveling their carefully woven narrative on Ukraine or exposing the delicate veneer of their agenda, X (formerly Twitter) has consistently been a source of discomfort for those in Washington or the EU managing the news flow – from Israel to the respective migration crises. But who would’ve thought that the retaliation would be this desperate and embarrassingly obvious?
On November 20, 2023, X initiated legal proceedings against Media Matters, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 with a mission to monitor and rectify conservative misinformation in US media. X alleges that Media Matters orchestrated a deceptive scenario by strategically juxtaposing advertisers’ posts with extremist content.
According to X, the crux of the defamation claim arises from Media Matters’ publication of a report asserting that ads for major brands were displayed alongside posts endorsing Nazism. X further contends that Media Matters employed manipulated algorithms and fake accounts to craft a narrative intended to besmirch the platform’s reputation. While applauding the theatricality, X questions the seriousness of such tactics.
Advertisers left in shambles
The aftermath was catastrophic, it seems. Big players like IBM, Apple, and Comcast ran for the hills, distancing themselves from X faster than you can say “cancel culture.”
Allegations of ads cozying up to pro-Nazi and white nationalist content created quite the stir, dealing a hefty blow to X’s attempts to win back the trust of those precious ad dollars. But hey, who needs advertisers when you’re fighting the good fight, right?
Still, X waltzed into federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, guns blazing, claiming that Media Matters knowingly and maliciously portrayed ads next to hateful material as a casual Tuesday for typical X users. According to the allegations, Media Matters deliberately followed the crème de la crème of “extreme fringe content” accounts and others owned by X’s major advertisers, then kept refreshing the feed until the desired outcome was on display. The result was a carefully curated feed designed to make advertisers jump ship, all captured on screenshots. Quite the strategic masterpiece, apparently.
Media Matters swiftly responded, dismissing the lawsuit as frivolous. Its president, Angelo Carusone, claimed that the legal action was a feeble attempt to silence critics. Undeterred, Media Matters boldly asserted its confidence in securing victory in court.
‘Free speech absolutism’ backfiring?
Now, let’s delve into the context – Elon Musk’s tumultuous tenure at the helm of X. Allegations of Musk turning a blind eye to anti-Semitic messages have circulated since his grand takeover over a year ago. Amid global tensions, including the Israel-Hamas war, Musk’s reluctance to censor ‘problematic’ posts on X only added more fuel to the already blazing controversy that is his leadership.
In response to the tumult, X CEO Linda Yaccarino stepped forward, pledging a commitment to combat discrimination on the platform.
In the unfolding saga of X’s legal battle against Media Matters, a complex narrative reveals Musk’s transformative influence on Twitter. He proclaims himself a “free speech absolutist” and this commitment transcends mere financial investment; it is a passionate endeavor to combat what Musk sees as a media swamp threatening free speech on his platform.
Having been a part of X since its inception (as Twitter), I’ve observed its evolution into an alternative internet, fostering diverse opinions within reasonable limits. The power to choose whom to follow or interact with should be a personal decision, free from external influence. Media Matters, with its apparent manipulative tactics, embarks on a questionable path of both exploiting that power and trying to punish Musk for bestowing it upon users.
In a coincidental twist, Media Matters president Carusone proudly claims responsibility for the #DumpTrump movement.
As the legal drama unfolds, the X vs. Media Matters saga becomes a spectacle – a masterclass in desperation where the line between truth and manipulation blurs. Whether this episode will establish a precedent for digital discourse or merely intensify chaos remains uncertain. The next act in this gripping Silicon Valley showdown promises more twists in this evolving narrative.
Russian Market is a project by a financial blogger, Swiss journalist and political commentator based in Zurich.
