The Oromo liberation Army (OLA) has recently agreed to drop down arms and pursue its goals through peaceful means round a table. This extraordinary move of the army is unique in that the members have already started to join centers of reform and rehabilitation which is part of the peaceful means as well as already attended the agenda setting gatherings organized by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission.
This shows how seriously the Oromia state government and OLA had taken the initiative for pace and their later commitment for its realization. The endeavor can be taken as a unique incident that saved a lot of lives and property from damage. As experience in the many years of conflicts in the country show, insurgents usually heed to peaceful means after incurring irrecoverable loss. Indeed the number of lives lost and the amount of the property damaged in the past couples of years is not to be under estimated.
Yet the decision taken by OLA and the government are welcome as the saying goes “better late than never”. It is easy to imagine how severe loss the country would have suffered in the future had this peace deal not been stricken.
In addition to dropping off arms, the army should be acknowledged for its remarkable decision to join the country’s historical National Dialogue.
The National Dialogue brings together all stakeholders and engages them in a participatory inclusive and comprehensive dialogue in a bid to address the decades old political problems of the country through peaceful means.
Accordingly, political parties, religions institutions, community representatives and the like are allowed by the commission to actively engage in the dialogue. So far armed groups were by far the missing elements in most of the peace and justice efforts. Often the groups or their leaders consider it as a loss of their dignity to submit to calls for peace. Therefore, regardless of the peace initiatives they succumb to their ego or war like mentality and also, in some cases to the machinations of external forces that intend to use them for their own interest. But OLA’s decision to embrace peace and then to actively engage in National Dialogue has set a new trend on the overall political history of the country.
Breaking the old and bad habit of fighting to death no matter what comes at the end is a big progress. This who still are waging armed struggle in various parts of the country should also stop and think twice before going far in causing loss of life and damage of property and wastage of the meager resources of the nation.
As the commissions engagement with stakeholders including OLA continues it has become clearly evident that the possibility of conducting peaceful and effective National Dialogue would be a reality.
Both the government and the OLA have to take this opportunity to heal the wounds of the people through tolerance and consultation as it can set a new scenario to drug more other political actors in to the peaceful stage of addressing problems.
In conclusion, the recent agreement between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the Oromia state government to pursue peace through dialogue marks a pivotal moment in Ethiopia’s quest for stability and reconciliation. This courageous shift from armed conflict to peaceful negotiation not only highlights the OLA’s commitment to addressing long-standing grievances but also sets a powerful precedent for other factions still engaged in violence. By participating in the National Dialogue, the OLA has demonstrated that dialogue can triumph over discord, fostering an environment where all stakeholders can contribute to a collective vision for the future. As this process unfolds, it is crucial for both the government and the OLA to remain steadfast in their dedication to healing the wounds of their communities, promoting tolerance, and engaging in constructive consultations. The potential for a new era of peace and collaboration is within reach, and it is imperative that all parties seize this opportunity to build a more harmonious and prosperous Ethiopia.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2024
