There is no gainsaying the fact that Ethiopia is coming across quite a lot of challenges with varying degrees. The sources of the challenges could be various but have greatly to do with individuals and groups who rather shied away from understanding the reform in a good light.
Nobody can argue that in the absence of peace nobody can reap the fruit of success. Peace needs the concerted efforts of everyone irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity, religious affiliation, political orientation and other related aspects. Besides, taking into account the lack of peace, life will be meaningless, tiresome, fearful, empty, and incomplete.
Similarly, without peace, the whole thing on the planet earth turns out to be worthless and hopeless. However, people who know the value of peace like the palm of their hands endeavor day in, day out to ensure peace and live in peace and harmony with the various Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples of Ethiopia with ease. Furthermore, one should be able to place emphasis on exhaling peace.
Unless all Ethiopians design certain techniques that help ensure peace all over the country, the desired goal cannot be achieved in the shortest possible time. Therefore, one and all should work in unison for the common goal. Everything should not be expected from the government. We should all work hand-in-glove for the realization of peace in the left, right and center of the country no matter what the cost may be.
According to John F. Kennedy, but peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not rest all our hopes on parchment and on paper, let us strive to build peace, a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace in the hearts and minds of all of our people. I believe that we can. I believe the problems are not beyond the reach of human beings.
The intended target of this writer is not placing much emphasis on the importance of peace. But to give a brief introduction about the exclusive column guest who has almost set in motion a journey last Tuesday with the purpose of preaching peace countrywide.
While on the subject, he goes by the name of Adamu Ambachew. He is dreaming of seeing a peaceful Ethiopia by preaching peace in the length and breadth of the country. Recently, he has sat down with The Ethiopian Herald. He has touched upon quite a lot of issues revolving around present Ethiopia and the way forward. Excerpts are below:
How did the idea of “My Country’s peace concerns me” campaign spring into your mind?
As everybody is all aware, peace is the pillar of everything under the sun. Above and beyond, Ethiopians have been living in peace and harmony for centuries under the umbrella of Ethiopia. Quite a lot of countries have been following our example time and again and showing appreciation.
To get back to the point, the thing which inspired me to come up with the idea is the conflict that claimed the lives of students at Wolidia University. One fine day, I was watching the sad news I have ever heard with my children and wife. After some time, everyone went to bed. As I was getting confused quite a lot of things embarked on flickering through my mind. That very night, I did not sleep a wink thinking about the situation of our country.
Almost immediately, I thought about my children. I began asking myself what the fate of my children is going to be like when they join one of the higher learning institutions of the country down the road and where we, Ethiopians were heading to? This time, the idea of preaching peace on a national scale sprang into my mind at the drop of a hat. As I believe in this
reality on the ground, I came up with the project known as, “My Country’s peace concerns me.”
At that juncture, I tossed ideas relating to my plan around for a while to my wife and children. They all unanimously agreed upon the ideas. They told me that I made the right decision at the right time. My wife said, “You should go. Listen to your heartbeat. This is a blessed idea.” My children as well came up with different messages focusing on peace. I would say, they inspired me a lot.
Which cities and towns are in your itinerary?
At first, my plan was to travel throughout Ethiopia. But now I have divided the journey into two phases. The first one is traveling to Wollo, Shire, and lastly partaking in the commemoration of the Battle of Adwa that is going to take place in Adwa. I do want to preach peace at different stages. After that, I will take a trip to Humera, Gondar, Gojjam and the like. If I am given permission, I will take a trip to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam too. If it fails, I will come back to Addis Ababa for a break.
Afterward, I will travel to Jimma, Gambella and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region of Ethiopia. As a matter of fact, I embarked on my journey on the 24th of February. The whole journey takes a maximum of five weeks.
What are the best things you expect from the general public?
Ethiopians and love are two sides of the same coin. They put emphasis on living in peace and harmony. As I have been to different parts of Ethiopia as a driver, I know the different Nations Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia are very kind. Whenever one asks people living in different parts of Ethiopia for a glass of water, they serve a glass of milk or Tela. I am sure the whole lot is still there. But there are some people who make an effort to erode this reality on the ground.
In the same way, I do need everyone irrespective of age, sex, religion and whatnot to listen to my call and understand the weight of my message. I am not a member of any political party. I am doing the whole lot at my instigation for the love of contributing my share. We should all think about unity, strength and other similar things.
Who are your main targets?
My target audiences are the general public. I would like to convey a wide spectrum of messages revolving around the significance of peace traveling everywhere for the love of preaching peace. I will go all over the place. Furthermore, I will go to different higher learning institutions and convey messages of peace for students. I will knock at their doors. If that fails, I will raise my voice for peace standing by their gates.
Besides, I will raise my voice for regional officials found all over the country and make an effort to inspire them to talk about peace. I will also raise my voice for political parties and activists to stand up for peace given that the whole thing going on across the country is the outcome of their bad deeds and other interrelated aspects. Anyways, there will not be any stone I leave unturned to convey messages of peace in every part of the country.
How do you define peace?
To the best of my knowledge, peace is life because in the absence of peace one cannot do anything. Without peace, the country cannot go in the right direction and reap the fruit of success. Above all, peace is the source of everything under the sun. Peace means living with harmony and regardless of ethnicity under Ethiopian skies. It is crystal clear that our community gives priority to peace for the reason that it is the most fundamental thing in the universe. Unless peace is ensured, we cannot survive on earth and do whatever we want as we wish.
How do you see the current situation of the country?
I can see hope and optimism in the midst of the ongoing reforms. We can also see fear. I am so scared of the whole thing. I do want people to live in peace and harmony irrespective of their ethnicity, age, sexual category, religion, political point of view, and so forth. We should be able to live in any part of the country as we please. Disappointedly, our children have been slaughtered on account of their ethnicity and religion in various parts of the country again and again.
If we live in peace and harmony, we can take the country to the next level of success with no trouble. At this point, though the country is in a difficult situation heartwarming reform has been taking place all over the country. Volunteerism is also taking root in most parts of the country. Our politicians should do something which can take the country to a new level of success than getting themselves involved in things that exacerbate the current situation of the country.
As I have tried to mention so far, peace is not something that is left to the government of Ethiopia. It is the responsibility of everyone. This being the case, I would like to raise awareness in every nook and cranny of the country by conveying peace messages, reciting poems, and the like
As a final point, is there anything you would like to add?
People should give the cold shoulder whenever they encounter politicians involving in inciting violence that can take the country to uncharted waters. They should be able to separate the sheep and the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Aside from being logical and reasonable, whenever they log into Facebook, they should be able to identify the genuineness of the information from different sources.
In a similar manner, conflicts have been arising in various parts of the country on the bases of religion, ethnicity, and what have you. Hence, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters are departing this life over things they do not know. As it is difficult to clap with one hand, everyone should be able to stand by the side of the government.
The Ethiopian Herald Friday 28 February 2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
