
Radar | Feb 25,2023
Mar 26 , 2022
By Mihretu Becherenetu ( Mihretu Becherenetu can be reached at mihretubecherenetu@gmail.com. )
Earlier this month, Prosperity Party (PP) concluded its maiden congress with pertinent decisions. Arguably, its most important decision has been to restore and achieve peace by "employing every possible alternative." For a country that has seen one of its darkest chapters due to the brutal civil war, the courageous decision of the governing party should be welcomed as an essential step to end the unspeakable agony of millions of Ethiopians in every corner of the country.
This decision should be fully supported by all Ethiopians and the regional and international organisations as well as by the international community. To ensure the success of the party's decision, it is indispensable to develop a comprehensive peace plan that could drive the long and difficult process of peacemaking.
The 16-month civil war has brought devastating political, economic, social and psychological impacts. Like any war, it can not be concluded in battlefields but in round tables. Any victory obtained with the ultimate sacrifice of Ethiopians should be translated into political triumph. While avoiding relapse, the battlefield gains can be sustained only through a political solution that maintains Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity while fully respecting the legitimate aspirations and concerns of all its citizens.
Genuine calls to bring peace by leaving no stones unturned, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said during his address to the recent African Union Summit, or the decision of the ruling PP, can be fully realised with a comprehensive peace plan. Therefore, implementing the decision of the PP is both timely and urgent. This provides Ethiopians with a historical opportunity to close one of the most miserable periods in their country's history.
One may argue that the Ethiopian government has been announcing its readiness for peace at various times. This is a fair point. But one could also argue that thus far there has not been a full-fledged and comprehensive peace plan that addresses the war and its multiple challenges and ushers in a new chapter. It is among the reasons the ruling party's congress reached an unambiguous decision with a clarion call for restoring peace using "every available option."
Translating the ruling party's decision into a full-fledged peace plan should be one of the top priorities of the government. First and foremost, bringing peace is the right thing to do. Prosperity, which is not only the name of the party but its ultimate objective, would remain on paper if there is no peace in Ethiopia. Furthermore, as a ruling party that obtained strong support and legitimacy from the Ethiopian electorate, restoring just and sustainable peace to all Ethiopians is one of the sacred duties of the government.
Addressing the myriads of the economic challenges – poverty, high inflation and unemployment, to mention a few – would demand bringing peace and security throughout Ethiopia. Also, commencing the long and perhaps the most difficult social and psychological healing process requires introducing a holistic peace agenda.
Sustainably ending the war and making peace has moral, political, economic and social benefits. However, some may have doubts, even opposition, given the unspeakable suffering they or their beloved ones were forced to go through. Their voices and concerns should be heard and respected. It is only just and durable peace based on the principles of humanity and accountability that could ultimately heal the whole nation. That is why the decision of the PP is courageous and magnanimous.
I should also mention that coming with a comprehensive peace plan could certainly put the government in the driving seat in any regional and international diplomatic effort to end the war. It can lead the peace process and increase its credibility and diplomatic clout among the members of the International community. It is also reasonable to assume that if the international community is serious about ending the war, it would support the government's peace initiative. The peace plan may also put pressure on the TPLF and its allies and could force them to genuinely engage in the peace-making process.
The humanitarian truce announced last Thursday by the federal government should be seized not only as another opportunity to enhance humanitarian access and to deliver much-needed assistance to all in need but also to pave the way to launch a comprehensive peace process to sustainability end the conflict.
To end a brutal and devastating war, everybody knows that a peace plan is just the beginning of the long road. The most important and most difficult part is its timely and successful implementation. This would require the support of all domestic and foreign actors. Ultimately, it is peace and peacemaking that would bring Ethiopia on a path of prosperity by alleviating the continued agony of its people.
PUBLISHED ON
Mar 26,2022 [ VOL
22 , NO
1143]
Radar | Feb 25,2023
Fortune News | Aug 16,2020
Commentaries | Feb 27,2021
Fortune News | Apr 08,2023
Radar | Sep 18,2021
Fortune News | Sep 24,2018
Commentaries | Oct 24,2020
Fortune News | Mar 11,2019
Life Matters | Sep 07,2019
Radar | Feb 27,2021
Photo Gallery | 69189 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 61058 Views | Apr 26,2019
Fortune News | 52960 Views | Jul 18,2020
Fortune News | 52738 Views | Sep 01,2021
Dec 24 , 2022
Biniam Mikru heads the department of cabinet affairs under Mayor Adanech Abiebie. But...
Jul 2 , 2022 . By RUTH TAYE
On a rainy afternoon last week, a coffee processing facility in the capital's Akaki-Qality District was abuzz with activ...
Nov 27 , 2021
Against my will, I have witnessed the most terrible defeat of reason and the most sa...
Nov 13 , 2021
Plans and reality do not always gel. They rarely do in a fast-moving world. Every act...
May 27 , 2023
Tauted as a somnolent giant, Ethiopia's financial scene now stirs, roused by favourab...
May 20 , 2023
The pungent irony wafting from Pretoria last week was hard to miss. Cyril Ramaphosa,...
May 13 , 2023
In March this year, Kamala Harris, the United States Vice President, visited Ghana, T...
May 6 , 2023
The history of the Ethiopian labour movement dates back to the 1940s, marked by perio...
Jun 3 , 2023 . By BEMNET TAFESSE
Officials hope to mitigate the impacts of drought on the wide livestock population of...
May 27 , 2023
In a triumph over the trials of the pandemic, a rising tide of construction costs and inflation, Zemen Bank has opened a stunning 32-storey...
May 27 , 2023 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
Meqelle is in an animated bid to reclaim control of the management of companies under the Endowment Fund...
May 29 , 2023
Officials at the Addis Abeba City Administration have recently changed the title transfer fees following...