Commentaries | Jan 31,2021
Dec 17 , 2022
By Abraham Tekle
The Ugandan writer Mahmood Mamdani once remarked that reasons led the developed countries, while emotions the developing ones. It may be possible to list many reasons, but the sloppy attitude towards critical thinking is a significant factor.
Emotional responses tremendously impact public policy and encourage government officials to make decisions in response to crises. But institutional capacity and a formidable system are required where incompetence and the absence of order are concealed under political partisanship.
The mindful self is conceptualised as an attitude developed by internalising and integrating the essence of self-awareness. Humans live in a cycle where beliefs and results are inseparable. Thoughts determine feelings, whereas emotions and attitudes determine performance. Interactions are connected with the outcome.
Customs in our country continue to be deeply rooted in centuries of practice to the point of becoming rituals. Tensions occur between government and groups, while cultural depth keeps them intertwined.
We have witnessed a surge in violent conflicts for much of the last couple of years. Despite a glimpse of political openings recently, society has experienced disputes due to incompatible worldviews that led to civil war and massive displacements. These conflicts have destroyed lives and institutional capacities. Many are forced to question the existence of governance. Economic marginalisation and a sense of tribalism with weak institutional capacities are highlighted as the cause of the failure to sustain peace.
The incidents happening in school compounds could accurately reflect the level of our emotions becoming the driving force. Tensions in the capital have risen following the confrontation between students and security forces led to public property destruction, injuries and lost lives. The actions are unexamined and driven mainly by emotion.
Upgrading the level of understanding for positive contributions is needed. Advancement in mind and mental enlightenment is critical to endorse the expected transformation that allows for embracing the fruit of consensus.
Lack of critical thinking lowers the ability to evaluate things while draining development. The effects can spill over to the inability to control emotions. Eventually, it leads to destruction and unrest because they both are interconnected. Individuals are expected to upgrade their level of understanding to embrace the fruit of consciousness.
The national dialogue is the topic on the table despite the incidents that have been unveiled. The initiation to introduce the principle by itself is a step up to transformation. However, an upgraded attitudinal shift is necessary to work towards peace; people can focus on creative endeavours. The economy can thrive as well.
Mental development, stability and order cannot solely depend on the goodwill of societal groups. While all these negotiations are underway, the federal government must reactivate its power to impose peace and contain violence by strengthening institutional capacity. Reclaiming all state structures at all levels and training the security forces to be decisive in stopping the violence while decelerating the already tense situation is critical.
Respecting human rights and maintaining loyalty to the state and not to any particular group is essential. Above all, professionals should be in charge of securing peace.
PUBLISHED ON
Dec 17,2022 [ VOL
23 , NO
1181]
Commentaries | Jan 31,2021
Commentaries | Aug 03,2019
Verbatim | Sep 07,2019
Verbatim | Nov 02,2019
Sunday with Eden | May 01,2020
Life Matters | Jul 22,2023
My Opinion | Dec 19,2021
Sunday with Eden | Mar 14,2026
Viewpoints | Jan 03,2021
Commentaries | Oct 02,2021
Photo Gallery | 185867 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 175909 Views | Apr 26,2019
Photo Gallery | 171474 Views | Oct 06,2021
My Opinion | 139419 Views | Aug 14,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
May 9 , 2026
The Ethiopian state appears to have discovered a fiscal instrument that is politicall...
May 2 , 2026
By the time Ethiopia's National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) reached the end of its fir...
Apr 25 , 2026
In a political community, official speeches show what governments want their citizens...
For much of the past three decades, Ethiopia occupied a familiar place in the Western...
May 9 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
Finance Minister Ahmed Shide entered the last quarter of the fiscal year with a budge...
May 9 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
At the Federal High Court's Lideta Division, on Dejazmach Bekele Weya Street, one of...
May 9 , 2026 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Mayor Adanech Abiebie's cabinet has approved an additional 9.9 billion Br budget, a m...
May 9 , 2026 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
The fight over Cosmo Trading Plc has outgrown the courtroom where it began. What star...
Loading your updates...