Ethiopia: The Land of Narcissists and Enablers

By Yared Haile-Meskel

According to various studies, politics tends to attract narcissists more than any other profession. Because Narcissists want to dominate, and politics provides the perfect platform for them to dominate the society.

Narcissists are self-obsessed individuals who enjoy grandiose delusions, and politics offers them the luxury of accessing national resources to fuel their egos.

Unlike other fields, politics often doesn’t require education, experience, or character. This makes it an appealing space for unskilled but self-centered individuals to achieve privilege without the rigor of hard work or qualifications. That is why many with narcissistic personality disorder find their niche in politics.

However, narcissists cannot thrive without enablers—a population willing to support and validate their inflated egos. Narcissism depends on followers, those who unconsciously or consciously participate in feeding the egos of such leaders.

From the era of Colonel Mengistu to today, many Ethiopian politicians have played godlike roles, indulging in grandiose delusions, while the enabling population becomes complicit in its own misfortune. For every narcissist, there must be followers to sustain their inflated sense of self.

This phenomenon isn’t confined to government offices or decision-makers. The prevalence of narcissism can be observed within opposition parties, rebel groups, and even religious institutions. There are many who post their picture on the social media three times a day through convoluted routs even when the internet service is unavailable. It is those narcists who end up leading everyone.

In many cases, leadership positions are occupied not by the decent, knowledgeable, and determined, but by individuals driven by narcissistic ambition. These self-imposed leaders rise to prominence without elections, and enablers follow them blindly, bolstering egos larger than the Simien Mountains.

As a result, Ethiopia has become a nation where narcissists and enabling followers dominate, perpetuating a cycle of ego-driven leadership. Yet, amidst this dynamic, there exists a group of rational and seasoned citizens who remain bystanders, watching as conflicts arise among various narcissists. To better understand narcissism and its impacts, I recommend watching the Jordan Peterson video attached below EXPOSE A NARCISSIST WITH JUST 1 QUESTION

It’s highly insightful and educational to bring down Narcists to earth.