WHERE leadership is not inspiring or starkly different from the run-of-the-mill speeches and bland promises, the lack of interest from the youth is justified. Millennials want to see fundamental change; they like to stick it to the system.

It is that one period in your life where your anti-establishment sentiments are most intense; you are filled with energy and ready to heed calls such as ‘the duty of youth is to challenge corruption’ by the great philosopher, Kurt Kobain. It is therefore imperative that leaders who seek the support and interest of the youth must capture their imagination with revolutionary policies that would make them want to storm the heavens. Leaders who think inside their own boxes and seek cosmetic changes have no moral high ground to lecture them about their lack of interest in the affairs of the State.

Having argued the aforementioned, I now draw your attention to the example of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. Facing rising tensions among the youth of various ethnic groups in Ethiopia, the ruling coalition of this East African country chose this 42-year-old to lead a nation where 70% of the population is under 30.

Besides his youth and the fact that Abiy hails from the largest ethnic group, this former Lieutenant-Colonel and co-founder of the intelligence branch set out on a mission to ease the anxiety of the young section of the population. What he has achieved, thus far, by virtue of his leadership style, should be captured in a dossier and distributed to any forerunner who seeks to gain the attention of the younger members of their societies.

Mr. Ahmed began his reign against the backdrop of a raging youth population. Protests for land rights; deep ethnic tensions; arrests of tens of thousands of activists and many more national disgruntlements. In just 100 days in office, Ethiopia was radically transformed. This transformation calmed the souls of the young population due its sheer audacity. Prime Minister Abiy freed prominent opposition leaders, activists, journalists and other dissidents. He appointed a record number of women to his Cabinet.

This was coupled with the appointment of a former judge and opposition figure, Birthukan Mideksa, as Head of Ethiopia’s Electoral Board. The average politician would express shock and surprise that a sitting Prime Minister would appoint an opposition figure who was exiled for seven years to run the country’s elections. But when you attempt to introduce real healing to a nation, these are the bold and daring decisions that imbue confidence.

Above all, it grabs the attention and confidence of the youth. Prime Minister Abiy has taken a history-making hammer to domestic, regional and international issues. In June 2018, Abiy made a trip to Egypt and engaged in an interpersonal meeting with President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Smiles and hugs signalled the easing of tensions over the use of the Nile River, an age-old problem defanged by revolutionary leadership.

Added to this, after decades of political and military stalemate, Ethiopia declared that it would accept the 2000 peace deal with Eritrea. Abiy has appeared in public looking cool, demonstrating that he is savvy with technology and has embraced revolutionaries such as Nelson Mandela. Undoubtedly, he is exemplary, and provides a blueprint for leaders who wish to excite the youth.

In conclusion, the aforementioned is not easily achieved. When you embark on unprecedented reform, you do so at great political risk. You are subjected to the wrath of those who have vested interest in the status quo. Your party members are usually flummoxed, and may subject you to the worst verbal abuse. Direct personal attacks and power struggles would ensue. In the end, the masses, especially the youth, will always be on the side of the adventurous leader who brings the sledgehammer and smashes the old order and tiresome state of affairs.