By Girma Berhanu (Professor)
Sweden
Dr. Wondimu Makonnen is a distinguished human rights activist whose unwavering commitment to justice has spanned decades. During the Woyane (TPLF-led) regime, he became widely known for his courageous advocacy, a struggle that continued for more than 37 years. Even after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, Dr. Wondimu did not diminish his determined and uncompromising defense of the oppressed. He has remained a tireless advocate for the destitute, for the victims of massacres across Ethiopia, and particularly for the Amhara people, whose suffering he believes has too often been ignored or silenced.
I had the privilege of collaborating with Dr. Wondimu on a noble initiative, the European Genocide Prevention for Ethiopia project, which focused on identifying and exposing hate speech before it could escalate into violence. Together, we worked to raise public awareness of the warning signs of genocide, convinced that the worst was yet to come if these dangers continued to be ignored.
Since then, our collaboration has continued. Dr. Wondimu has generously edited my articles, often working late into the night. His dedication is matched only by his remarkable depth of knowledge. His understanding of Ethiopian history far exceeds my own, and his expertise in the history, traditions, and practices of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is exceptional. He is also a devoted student of Ge’ez, Ethiopia’s ancient liturgical language.
I rarely write an article dealing with Ethiopian history without first consulting him. His careful scholarship, historical insight, and commitment to accuracy have been invaluable to my work. Today, he continues to share his wealth of knowledge through various media outlets, educating audiences about Ethiopia’s past, its present challenges, and what he sees as the unjust treatment Ethiopia has endured at the hands of ethnic extremism, racial hatred, and poor leadership.
Throughout his life, Dr. Wondimu has sought to promote balance, reconciliation, and the rebuilding of a harmonious Ethiopia founded on justice, wisdom, and reverence for God. Beyond his intellectual accomplishments, he is a man of extraordinary generosity, always willing to devote his time, knowledge, and resources to helping others.
What I did not fully appreciate until recently was the immense personal sacrifice he has made. For 34 years, Dr. Wondimu has lived in the United Kingdom without the protection of a nationality, effectively stateless. Despite the hardships this imposed—including severe restrictions on international travel and even entering Ethiopia—he chose not to abandon his Ethiopian identity. He wished to keep his Ethiopian passport for as long as possible because Ethiopia is not merely his country of birth; it is part of who he is. He wanted to leave this world with that identity intact rather than exchange it for another nationality.
This principled decision came at an enormous personal cost. His statelessness is the consequence of his fearless opposition to successive authoritarian governments. Across three different regimes, he sacrificed his health, his resources, his freedom of movement, and many personal opportunities in order to remain a genuine voice for justice.
Today, after 37 years of statelessness in England, Dr. Wondimu Makonnen stands as a powerful symbol of integrity, resilience, and patriotism. His story is a reminder that the highest price is often paid by those who refuse to compromise their principles. He has dedicated his life to speaking for the voiceless, defending the vulnerable, and preserving the truth about Ethiopia’s history and future.
His legacy is not measured by political office or personal wealth, but by the countless lives he has inspired through courage, scholarship, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Professor Girma Berhanu teaches at the Department of Education and Special Education, Gothenburg University. He can be reached at girma.berhanu@ped.gu.se
Source: Borkena