By Samuel Shonga
Ethiopia is an entity and very historical. The ancestors of this country had passed tremendous history that has been commemorated by all generations from 1st to 21st centuries. In addition to that, Ethiopians have been proudly declaring that their country is the only one in Africa to have never been subjected to colonial rule by any of foreign power. As this is undeniable historical truth, on the other hand, violation of human right and abuse are reported in high rate among other African countries. Ethiopians have been continuously encountering atrocity and abuse on the hands of different political leaders and their governance system to date. Hardship and persecution are rapidly increasing since the kingdom of emperor was deposed and Communist Durgue sized the power in 1974. Young Ethiopians, academicians, and competent politicians were butchered; and several religious leaders were kidnapped and unaccounted because of their belief during 17 years of regime of an atheist Dergue until the day when it was overthrown in 1991.
After the down-fall of Dergue in 1991, Ethiopians expected democracy, peace and equality from the new government. However, in the past 27 consecutive years, Ethiopians endured and carried the heaviest yoke of severe impression and offenses under a brutal government of TPLF/EPRDF/. After the guerrilla fighters defeated the Durgue and controlled over the country, hardship, murder and prosecution got worse and worst. All we consider that that time as the dark age for Ethiopians.
Now, God is doing a tremendous miracle in Ethiopia by raising a visionary leader when TPLF /EPRDF/ is still on its power. Most of the citizens offer an ultimate support to the new elected potential leader, PM minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and follow after him by repeating his slogan for love, unity, forgiveness and reconciliation. For the greatest Ethiopia seems to be on the decisive transitional avenue, a rapid establishment of multi-party governmental system / it would be tough actually/ is highly expected by potentially competent political parties. The people appear on the main streets of different cities in thousands and express their support to Dr Ahmed because he is so eloquent and knows how to put words together when he addresses the crowd. He incredibly enchants his audiences with his speech and successfully draws their attentions since he has came to the power. Many of Ethiopians and foreigners admire him not only for his words but also they lift their voice up in looking at him with pleasure for the quick actions that he has taken in the three months interval. He is also fighting to open the door for democracy that has been slammed by the Woyane regime.
However, my unfavorable view on the heat of recent political movement lured me to pass this short notice with the respect to the quest of security and justice in a new Ethiopian in Abiy's era. Here are my points:
1. A prevalence of Insecurity over the country. Although people declare a slogan with words like love, reconciliation, inclusiveness (medemer) and forgiveness, still the government failed in its duty to stop murder and human right violation in several parts of the country. Some instances among the dozens are reflected as follows.The killing attempt against PM Abiy himself at Meskel square in Addis Ababa months ago ( Sene 16 in Ethiopian Calendar) followed by a mass killing/ Ethnic genocide/ in Awasa areas that targeted on one ethnic people, Wolayta. Awasa is the capital of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peopples Regional State /SNNPRS/ where any one has constitutional right to live in. As Ethiopian is munlti-cultual and languages, the southern region is known for its ethno-linguistic diversity and more than forty five indigenous ethnic people were forcefully incorporated in to one rule and they characterize the state. foot note 1 Wolayta is among these ethnic people even though it has own identity, culture and rapidly expanding language. The members of this tribe had been sadly slaughtered like animal by the city boys from neighboring ethnic group in Awasa where the office of the president of SNNRPS is situating.foot note 2 The highest administrative bodies and security forces where there in Awasa at that time when hundreds of Wolayata people were killed and rubbed.The city administration and security forces did not take any measure when all the houses and belongings of Wolaytians were devastated and burned away.
Likewise, the peoples of Gedeo, and Guji are murdered and displaced in hundreds and thousands. As the information spread out and the PM believes, there is a huge conflict at the East cost of the country which causes death of numerable: and inhabitants of that area are in a serious threat. Thousands are being attacked in Romiya and Somali provinces and the great number of people also have been driven away from the place where they had lived long time. Some people escaped to Djibouti and the rests sheltered in Kenya in uncertain situation. Many are still impressed and abused in Amara region and thousands of Amharas dismissed from their locations.
The heart breaking death of engineer Smegnehu Bekele, manager of Ethiopian renaissance dam, indicates that insecurity is prevailing. This man was found dead in middle of the capital city, Addis Ababa Meskel square in the same place where murderers attempted to kill his excellency Dr Abiy. Ethiopians in the country and abroad deeply saddened and cried after they heard the news of the great lose, that is the death of Eneg Semegnew. Basically It is unimaginable to subdue cruel, trouble- makers and murderers by declaring love because these kind of people are anti-love minded and satisfying their political consumption in killing and terrorizing innocent citizens.
Likewise, the peoples of Gedeo, and Guji are murdered and displaced in hundreds and thousands. As the information spread out and the PM believes, there is a huge conflict at the East cost of the country which causes death of numerable: and inhabitants of that area are in a serious threat. Thousands are being attacked in Romiya and Somali provinces and the great number of people also have been driven away from the place where they had lived long time. Some people escaped to Djibouti and the rests sheltered in Kenya in uncertain situation. Many are still impressed and abused in Amara region and thousands of Amharas dismissed from their locations.
The heart breaking death of engineer Smegnehu Bekele, manager of Ethiopian renaissance dam, indicates that insecurity is prevailing. This man was found dead in middle of the capital city, Addis Ababa Meskel square in the same place where murderers attempted to kill his excellency Dr Abiy. Ethiopians in the country and abroad deeply saddened and cried after they heard the news of the great lose, that is the death of Eneg Semegnew. Basically It is unimaginable to subdue cruel, trouble- makers and murderers by declaring love because these kind of people are anti-love minded and satisfying their political consumption in killing and terrorizing innocent citizens.
2. Justice undermined by the governance. Of course, PM Dr Abiy is attempting to change a gloomy situation of our nation and working hard to unify those who are distanced because of their political positions and religious quarrel. His ability in reconciling even the disunited religious leaders was highly treasured by all. But the concern of injustice prevailed in the country. The victim Wolaytaians are still crying for justice in Awasa for nothing because no one from the governmental body is taking responsible to rehabilitate those were scattered on the field including children under the age of 4 to 10 and women in child bed , who are sheltered in schools. The Gedeo people are also expecting justice from the current Ethiopian government. So, the questions need to be answered. How can those whose two legs were cut off in prison join the theme "medemer"/inclusive with/ with out seeing justice? How can some one think that "medemer" would make sense to those whose houses were destroyed and all belongings were taken away? How possible is the reality of peace and unity in the absence of justice and security and how can the one whose manhood was castrated through the torture accept "medemer" with his full heart? .
Dr Abiy is working very hard to create a better Ethiopia for us and for the generation about to come. He loudly speaks about love and reconciliation which is highly appreciated by all. On top of all these, God’s Word stresses the importance of love, saying, “love covers a multitude of sin”( 1 Peter 4:8), “ love does no wrong to a neighbor”( Romans 13:10), and “love is patient and kind” ( 1 Corinthians 13:4). He( PM Abiy ) proclaims love and mercy like a great leaders of great nations such as Abraham Lincoln as he said “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruit than strict justice.”
However, justice and security have never been disregarded by both the Bible and the great leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi. An American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman , Frederick Douglass said :
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”,
As the nation, Ethiopia demands security and Justice at this particular time in order that people and their property would be safe.
3. Ethnic inequality gets empowered
The current Ethiopian political enthusiasm
Therefore, PM Dr Abiy should sit down and take time to get rid of insecurity and injustice. In his next step as soon as he finished his journey from one horizon to the other in proclaiming love and mercy , Dr Abiy must not let the grass grow under his feet with out cracking down the reality of justice and security in his country. He must teach the trouble- makers and anti-peace forces about the value of humanity and human dignity. Dr Abiy's theme "Medemer" should not exclude all victims over the country and justice must be implemented for them. Otherwise, the current anti- peace force’s intrigue threats to drive the country in to unnecessary crisis. No one will be safe with out Justice and security.
May God bless Ethiopia and Ethiopians.
References
1. Abbink G Jon. Northeast African Studies New Series, Vo 5 No 2(1998) ( New Configuration of Ethiopia Ethnicity : the challenge of the south)
2.file:///C:/CurrentEthiopianpolitics/photos/a.463320040792004.1073741828.399289470528395/496314324159242/?type=3
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