The TPLF propaganda claims that Ethiopia has achieved economic growth of about 10 per cent every year for the last decade. But one ethnic group controls the economies. This group has in the past, and is still building its military and intelligence . The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), controlling every citizen in the country.

The so-called good economy that TPLF claims is blooming has yet to reach most of the country’s 90 million people. Ethiopia’s national income per head is only $400, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.All this means that many skilled people do their utmost to leave. The government has made this difficult by imposing draconian restrictions on emigration.

Many Ethiopians are simply banned from leaving the country. Three years ago, 60 technicians working for Ethiopian Airlines were given jobs by other carriers based in the Gulf. Their employer simply passed their
names to the Immigration and Nationality Affairs Department – and all were prevented from leaving the country.

The co-pilot who flew to Geneva might have had no legal avenue for leaving Ethiopia permanently. He appears to have decided that hijacking a plane was his only option, even if that will mean spending time in a Swiss jail.