Good News in the Making…The Beginning of High Hopes
By: Kelemu Smeneh
June 22, 2007
This is indeed a good day for all Ethiopians that have been disgusted by the politics of hate that has gripped Ethiopia for the last two years. Our celebration has nothing to do with the political differences that are current in our country. Rather, the beginning of the end of the politics of hate that has been perpetuated by the imprisonment of the CUD leadership will be stifled and drastically weakened as a result of the good news that we are hearing today. That is our source of happiness. The imprisoned men and woman are now free and that is a joy for all of us.
It is proper we thank the government of Ethiopia, the leaders of the CUD/KINIJIT leaders at Kaliti for finally agreeing to the peaceful resolution of the conflicts that has in one way or another affected Ethiopians abroad and at home. This is a step forward for the politics of civility and it is a wonderful prelude to the celebration of The Ethiopian Millennium which all Ethiopians are looking forward with high expectations. We are very much encouraged by the fact that the ruling EPRDF party and the Kinijt leaders understand that Ethiopia stands to lose because of their hard line positions.
Our appreciation and thanks should be especially reserved to our tireless Shimagles, particularly the tireless humanist Professor Ephrem Isaac. Professor Ephrem has been preaching and speaking of atonement, reconciliation and tolerance for the last few years. I am so happy that his tireless effort has finally paid off. We thank him for not taking ‘no’ for an answer and worked his way to convince the parties to solve this standoffish behaviour peacefully with out compromising their principles. Today is indeed a very happy day made even happier due to the fact that we recognize there are great people such as Professor Ephrem who can sway the most die-hard among ourselves to choose the right course, the right way. Thank you Professor Ephrem and your other colleagues who gave you all the support you need in this difficult task.
We Ethiopians have also learned one fundamental thing from this process. That is, we should rely on ourselves and our Shimagles to resolve our differences. No individual from outside, whatever their intentions, are not going to solve our problems. For those of us who have been calling for our problems to be resolved through Shimglina (mediation), we have been vindicated.
Surely, the road to prosperity, democracy and development will not be easy. We still have hard roads to travel. But the fact that we have come to realize that stubbornness and rigid outlooks are detrimental for our progress is a huge success in itself. I hope we have learned our lessons.
Finally, I would like to thank the tolerant media sources, especially Ben's Ethiopiafirst and Yoseph's Ande Ethiopia Radio for promoting tolerance and their role to end the political impasse. The last few years have been difficult to both of you. In polarized political atmosphere it is those with principled neutral position that get the heavy end of stick. You have weathered them all and finally come out victorious. Congratulations to you and all other independent outlets that I may not have missed.
As many of us celebrate this wonderful news there will be very few individuals among us who will undermine this success. The release of prisoners will not be welcomed by Mr Isayas of Eritrea and those whom he tries to befriend them. I would like to urge these fellow Ethiopians to reject Mr Isayas and come to the fold. I am sure that Professor Ephrem and his colleagues will continue to work hard to bring those compatriots who have so far chosen the non-peaceful route.
[Opinions in this article are solely that of the writer.]