On Sunday, Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia celebrated Easter. It is the most important day in their faiths. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days in the tomb. This day brings a message of hope, light, and a new beginning. After darkness, there is always morning.
In a way, what Easter means is also happening in Ethiopia today. For the past few years, the country went through many hard times. Conflict, division, economic struggles, and fear left deep wounds. Many people lost their homes. Some lost family member. Others lost hope in a better future.
But now, things are starting to change. Slowly. Quietly. And not in every place. But in many parts of the country, there are signs that Ethiopia is rising again. Like the story of the resurrection, it’s not about going back to what was before. It’s about starting again, with new strength.
One example is what is happening in cities like Addis Ababa. The government is working on projects to improve roads, sidewalks, and public spaces. This is called “corridor development.” It helps people to move more easily, reduces traffic, and makes the city cleaner and more organized. Similar projects are happening in other big cities too. These changes are not fast or perfect, but they show progress.
There is also the Green Legacy project. Led by the Prime Minister, it has brought millions of people together to plant tree across the country. The goal is to protect the land, bring back lost forests, and fight environmental damage. Schools, churches, and communities are all joining in. Planting trees is a small action, but when many people do it, the result is big.
Ethiopia is also reaching out more to the world. New friendships and partnerships are being made. Diplomats are traveling. The country is trying to play a larger role in regional and global discussion. This is helping Ethiopia grow its influence and bring in support from other countries.
Efforts to bring peace are also starting to show results. In some regions, the fighting has stopped. People are returning to their homes. Elders, religious leaders, and local officials are encouraging calm. National dialog has started, and though it is not easy, people are beginning to talk again. After silence and fear, hearing different voices is a good sign.
We should not ignore the problems that still exist. In some areas, violence continues. Many people are still poor. Prices of basic goods are high. Some people do not feel safe. But these problems are now being talked about. They are not being hidden. And that means people want solutions.
Another good sign is how young people are acting. Many are asking important questions. They want change. They want peace. They want to work and build something good. Some are starting small businesses. Others are helping in their communities. Their energy and ideas can push the country forward.
The education system is also trying to improve. More students are going back to school. Teachers are getting training. Some changes are coming to the way lessons are taught. It will take time, but the seeds are being planted now.
Faith leaders are also helping. In churches and mosques, messages of forgiveness and peace are being shared. In places where there was conflict, people are coming together to talk, forgive, and live side by side again. These actions may look small, but they are signs of heeling.
Even in justice, small steps are being taken. Some truth is being told. Victims are speaking. The past is not being erased, but it is being faced. That is how healing begins.
Ethiopia’s rise is not happening in one big moment. It is coming little by little. A new school here. A peaceful week there. A small business starting. A family returning home. These are not headlines of the media across the cities. But they are real.
The story of Jesus rising from the deed was also not loud at first. It began with a quiet morning and a few people seeing the empty tomb. But over time, that moment changed the world.
Ethiopia’s change is not yet finished. There is still much work ahead. But we are not in the same place we were before. The darkness is lifting. Light is coming in. The country is standing again, step by step.
This is what resurrection looks like for a nation. Not everything becomes perfect. But the country is no longer stuck. It is moving. It is trying. It is hoping.
When people lit candles in Easter night, they were not only remembering something that happened long ago. They were showing that light still win. That new life is possible.
Today, Ethiopia is showing the same thing. It is rising. Not fast. Not loud. But real.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY ERMIAS WASSIHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025
