Covid-19 | Mar 29,2020
Jan 16 , 2021
By Eden Sahle
We witnessed hitherto unthinkable violence erupting in Washington, DC at Capitol Hill on January 06, 2021. The violence was staged by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump who were attempting to somehow change the results of last year's election. Without proof, they claim that the election has been fraudulent. The sitting President not only gives ear to such baseless accusations but fanned the flames. In fact, he encouraged his supporters to march on that day since it was the fomalisation of President-elect Joe Biden’s election by the joint session of the US legislative houses.
The lawlessness that unfolded shocked the world. True, much of Donald Trump’s presidency over the past four years has been a showcase in how easily democracy can be eroded through time. But the storming of Capitol Hill presented an image of what Trump’s recklessness in office looks like: one of violence, fury and devastation.
Ethiopians know all about how toxic politics inspires violence. Many of our politicians have impressive educational backgrounds, lead a relatively privileged life and even have a good understanding of Ethiopia, even if selectively. And yet, they are reckless beyond belief and inspire our worst excesses.
Recently, my brother showed me a meme of a surprised dog holding a text that reads, “While we live with humans; humans could not live with their own kind.”
The perfect depiction of the painful reality in the world, no less in Ethiopia. The worst of it has come with the armed conflict in the northern part of the country, between the forces of the federal and Tigray regional states. The stories coming out of the region are heartbreaking, unthinkable to many just a few years ago.
But even these stories have not gotten the attention they deserve. Victimhood is acknowledged only if it supports the purposes of a certain political view. Take the example of the report that rape is being reported currently within the region. There were many that condemned it. But there were also too many whose response was that this is expected during conflict and that reports of rape were prevalent even before.
Society, through the consequences of politics or vice versa, endorses who is valued and who to generally disregard and hurt. Individuals are essentially told whom it is acceptable to dehumanise, hate and discriminate against. They are handed out licenses, which allow them to believe that they are more deserving and entitled of ownership to the country than the rest.
For any of us asking why violence in Ethiopia continues to be a jarring reality, America has just given us a clear answer. There is little out there to temper the toxicity.
Americans have more hope. It is a nation that prides itself with a democracy that has lasted over two centuries. They have independent democratic institutions that are a great deal more resilient to the barrages of attacks from an aspiring authoritarian.
We do not have an independent legal system. The one we have has not yet proven that no one is above the law. We do not have a vibrant free media that informs the truth and exposes wrongdoings with no fear of consequences.
This will not change until the government and politicians step up and do the hard work of learning how to trust one another. This should involve taking accountability for the state of the country. Too many leaders have come to blame their predecessors for all of the ills that surround their time in office.
Last week's incident in the United States is an excellent lesson in showing that sitting leaders should take full responsibility for everything that goes wrong. They are there to prevent it from happening in the first place. Just as much as they love to take credit for all of the good things going on, they should acknowledge that they have failed in some way when something goes awry.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 16,2021 [ VOL
21 , NO
1081]
Covid-19 | Mar 29,2020
Fortune News | Apr 13,2019
Commentaries | Mar 20,2021
Radar | Jan 29,2022
Verbatim | May 04,2019
Covid-19 | May 14,2020
Radar | Aug 16,2020
Viewpoints | Mar 21,2020
Radar | Aug 12,2023
Agenda | Feb 08,2020
Photo Gallery | 96864 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 89083 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67207 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65774 Views | Oct 02,2021
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...
Mar 30 , 2024
Ethiopian authorities find themselves at a crossroads in the shadow of a global econo...
Apr 20 , 2024
Ethiopia's economic reform negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in their fourth round, taking place in Washington, D...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
An undercurrent of controversy surrounds the appointment of founding members of Amhara Bank after regulat...
An ambitious cooperative housing initiative designed to provide thousands with affordable homes is mired...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia's juice manufacturers confront formidable economic challenges following the reclassification of...