
Verbatim | Jan 13,2024
Nov 20 , 2021
By Abreham Ketema
The past five years have been uneasy for Ethiopia. It began with political instability that led to widespread violence across the country. For a brief time in 2018 and 2019, things seemed to improve, but it has only been proven to be the lull before the storm.
Since November 2020, a war broke out in the northern part of the country between armed forces operating out of Tigray Regional State and the federal government and its allies. The immediate cause may have been the attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian military station in Tigray, but the disaster has been long in the making, especially after disagreements over the 2021 election arose. The war has continued to this day.
Ostensibly, the catastrophic devastation has been taking place in many parts of our country, in Tigray, Oromia, Amhara and Benshingul-Gumuz regional states due to the ongoing war between several stakeholders. It is not just combatants that are losing their lives. Civilians, especially women and children, are among the major victims of violence. Widespread rape and massacres against innocent civilians have been recorded while millions have been displaced from their homes. The humanitarian crisis has only continued to deepen since then. People are starving, access to basic services is hard to come by for millions of people in the Amhara, Afar and Tigray regional states.
Critically, the fate of our nation, and its people, is in a dilemma. There is grave political uncertainty. The circumstances are worrying for millions of people across Ethiopia and the surrounding neighbours, which will undoubtedly face the stress. It has been heartbreaking, especially considering the potential of the economy and centrality of Ethiopia to the stability of East Africa.
With the message of hope, the preamble to our fundamental moral values reminds us that war has never been a solution. If it was, Ethiopia would have many of its problems addressed by now as several wars have been fought over the past half a century. Pursuing peace through dialogue brings an ultimate deal that could revive the nation into openness and unity on the ideas to agree on the differences. Nothing is more essential than peace and shared values.
Some communities, civic organisations and leaders have been advocating for peaceful resolutions but some have not sufficiently acted in a coordinated way to fulfil their duties. Fortunately, their role in influencing the people to realise the essence of humanity is tremendous and can bring favourable results. Advocating in an organised way and with unwavering tenacity could translate into a movement and commitment to nurture national unity. Centrist voices must come together to act in the name of peace.
The pace of an inclusive national dialogue must be increased significantly to maintain the social fabric of our country. Falling in this mission will have unimaginable consequences. Success in this is needed to avert what could be one the greatest humanitarian disasters in recent memory.
The role of community leaders and civic organisations are needed more than at any time before. They need to use all of their available platforms to promote and organise national inclusive peace dialogues, condemn parties who reject the call, facilitate humanitarian aid to displaced communities, establish neutral ground that facilitates an investigation of atrocities and urge stakeholders to respect national and international laws.
We do not have time to waste. We have already lost a great deal. The loss of human life and property is too high, but there is still hope for rebuilding and reconciling. The economy could be salvaged, and the well being of citizens improve just yet. All that is needed is negotiation with guiding principles.
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 20,2021 [ VOL
22 , NO
1125]
Verbatim | Jan 13,2024
Radar | Apr 21,2024
Advertorials | Feb 12,2024
Fineline | Mar 09,2019
Radar | Sep 10,2023
Commentaries | May 20,2023
View From Arada | Oct 09,2021
Viewpoints | Mar 06,2021
Verbatim | Dec 14,2019
Viewpoints | May 01,2020
My Opinion | 129997 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 126290 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 124309 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 122076 Views | Aug 07,2021
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 31 , 2025
It is seldom flattering to be bracketed with North Korea and Myanmar. Ironically, Eth...
May 24 , 2025
Public hospitals have fallen eerily quiet lately. Corridors once crowded with patient...
May 17 , 2025
Ethiopia pours more than three billion Birr a year into academic research, yet too mu...
May 10 , 2025
Federal legislators recently summoned Shiferaw Teklemariam (PhD), head of the Disaste...
May 31 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Real-estate developers have formed a new lobbying group, the Ethiopian Real Estate De...
May 31 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE
A draft proclamation, endorsed by the Council of Ministers two weeks ago, will permit...
May 31 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Regulators at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) have issued a notice to commercial...
May 31 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE
The Ministry of Water & Energy has announced plans to enlist institutions located...