Fortune News | Mar 30,2024
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]
Fortune News | Mar 30,2024
Fortune News | Oct 24,2020
Radar | May 25,2019
View From Arada | Jul 31,2021
Commentaries | Sep 30,2023
Fortune News | Jul 18,2021
Verbatim | Apr 13,2019
My Opinion | Mar 06,2021
Fortune News | Aug 17,2019
Commentaries | Mar 20,2021
Photo Gallery | 96154 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 88415 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67000 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65717 Views | Oct 02,2021
My Opinion | Apr 13,2024
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 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...
Mar 23 , 2024
Addis Abeba has been experiencing rapid expansion over the past two decades. While se...
Apr 13 , 2024
A severe financial stranglehold has been imposed on the banking industry, underminin...
Apr 13 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In an unprecedented move, the central bank has published its inaugural stress test report, uncovering potential fault lines within the finan...
Apr 13 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In a bold departure from its historical position on foreign investment, the federal government has opened...
Apr 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
A proposed excise tax stamp system draws controversy amongst industry leaders in the alcohol, tobacco, be...