The peaceful conclusion of Sidama people’s referendum has brought with it a lot of connotations. One of these is that it gives a legal end to a decades old quest of Sidama people with a reliable and legal response.
The referendum has also put a big test to Ethiopia’s democratic system. The people’s quest for statehood has been a burning issue for long. But the government has been waiting for long to make sure that the people determine their administrative status as per the provision of the constitution and in a democratic manner.
Accordingly, the people have conducted the vote peacefully and legally. This attests the progress of the democratic system that the country has been building for couple of decades in general and since the reform measure introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed in particular.
The referendum sets good example for all people as it has shown that any legal and democratic quest should pass through legal procedures that comply with the constitution and subsequent laws. It also indicates that active popular participation is a timely and reliable solution for such high level agenda.
More over the peaceful conclusion of the referendum has displayed that both the federal and the regional government have shown maximum commitment and collaboration to respond to the genuine quest of the Sidama people.
As can be remembered Sidama people’s quest for statehood passed through many challenges and ups and downs for decades. Though the quest was legally enshrined in the constitution and the people also forwarded their quest in due procedure, the response of the government in the past was harsh and intended to quell it rather than give it a solution as per the legal provision.
Yet, Sidama people have demonstrated that genuine and burning quest of the people would never be subjugated by any means. It will rather flare up again under different circumstance.
This can show any government that takes power in the country any time in the future to realize the importance of responding to the genuine quest of people. Hence the incumbent should be praised to do its best to make the referendum a reality and demonstrate its commitment to uphold constitutional rights of people and sustainably address their quest.
In addition the referendum has shown that as long as people forward their quest legally they can get due response without any need to resort to violence and chaos. Thus the praise should also go to the Sidama people.
Especially at a time when the country is facing many challenges from different corners the government’s commitment and the public’s patience is likely to settle any kind of problem we may face.
NOV 23/2019
