Today marks a New Year for those who use Gregorian calendar all over the world. It is a common phenomenon to make New Year’s resolutions and to look back the previous year’s landmarks in a given country’s political and economic activities.
Hence, last year, Ethiopia witnessed promising changes in every aspect of life as the sweeping reforms were begun to take place nationwide with the unwavering commitments of the reformists of the ruling party. It was last April the newly elected chairperson of the incumbent sworn in as the Prime Minister and made impressive inaugural speech.
Having heard the speech, almost all Ethiopians living inside and outside felt inspired to contribute their part in the efforts of building great nation and bringing about lasting peace. In his icebreaker speech, the Premier called on all exiled competing parties members and armed forces to come to their homeland in light of pursing any political agendas by peaceful and democratic means.
He also extended olive branch to Eritrea aimed at ending the two decades state of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. His courageous move to accept the decision of Ethiopia and Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) has borne fruit as both sisterly countries have managed to restore diplomatic ties breaking the deadlock. Last week, BBC nominated Prime Minister Dr. Abiy as one of the African leaders who were history makers of 2018 in the continent.
This international renowned news outlet also cited the Ethio- Eritrea rapprochement as one of his biggest achievements of last year. Moreover, BBC acclaimed the Premier for his bold action of appointing women to half ministers posts apart from nominating the first ever woman President in the history of the country.
After the reformist Prime Minister assumed power, almost all armed forces have given up armed struggle, prominent political figures that used to live in exile have returned home and the list goes on. Despite the aforesaid success stories, the Premier escaped the assassination attempt during the mass rally to support his reform activities and foiled the plot to kill him by some armed members of the Ethiopian Defense Forces that marched to the palace defying order.
The mushrooming of intrastate conflicts across the country had been the headache of the incumbent during last year as over two million people were forced to be internally displaced persons. Hopefully, the two newly established commissions namely Truth and Reconciliation as well as Identity and Border Issues will be expecting to bring lasting solutions to such conflicts in this New Year.
This year and the year proceeding are crucial to Ethiopia’s political landscape as there will be general elections. Thus far, the nomination of impartial Electoral Board Chairperson was successfully made and preparations are also underway to automate the voting system. One of yesteryear’s historical landmarks was the release of thousands of political prisoners after they were granted clemency.
The yesteryear, in short, was brought flicker of hope for all Ethiopians as a number of game changer reforms were introduced. In contrast, there were also some ill attempts to reverse the reform instigating unrest and violence among ethnic groups but in vain.
Enjoying the fruits of last yea’s achievements, undoubtedly, this New Year will be a springboard to own lasting peace and sustainable development in Ethiopia in particular and in the Horn of Africa in general. Happy Peaceful and Prosperous 2019!
The Ethiopian Herald, January 1/2019
