There’s a black sheep in every flock. Yes, you can say that again. But this is not a case of lone black sheep in flocks. This appears to be a deliberate campaign to bring a proud people down to their knees for standing their grounds!
The signs were there. They were all over the place; we just failed to notice them as anything but simple ramblings probably by politicians who seem too bored of inactivity. Ethiopians far and wide have every right to be angry at the arrogant behavior of some sections of the global family. Global family! Did I say just that? I disown that term! Even the most dysfunctional family wouldn’t have so many members who have only their ‘own interests’ in mind even at the expense of throwing everybody else under the bus! No sir; there could be ‘global anything’ except true, global family! If it had been a true global family Syria, Libya, Yemen and all the rest wouldn’t have happened. Families would sit down and talk.
For us, the arrogance, indifference and open unprovoked hostility of some global players is too much to take! The double standard game being played under the very eyes of the world is taking such bizarre twists one wonders how things have come to this. Stone Age muscle flexing in the twenty-
something century! You know, Conan the Barbarian, or ‘Terminator’ would have made sense these days! At least we can see them coming and recognize them for what they are. The destroyers are coming! “Run for your life while you can!”
An age that is supposed to be for the thinking, rational lot has flipped on its head sliding decades back. Only the tools have changed. You don’t have to shoot from a thirteen bullets six-shooter without miraculously reloading, and with the entire watching. No the tolls have changed; you impose sanctions! That’s what you do. Forget the hollow rhetoric accompanying the “or else…” sanctions and ‘warnings.’ that’s not the story. When politicians play the ‘gang game’ of arm-twisting you into submission you know the music has long died. Died
We are only trying to rid ourselves from the cycle of poverty and destitution that has been haunting us for so long. We are only trying to be fed three times a day and stop knocking on the doors of the rich for handouts, however embarrassing. We are only trying to rid ourselves from the most basic sicknesses which have become history in much of the world and enjoy the benefits of modern medicine. We are only trying to use our water resources to quench our thirst and cultivate our land so the ‘one if the poorest countries in the world,” label will be thrown into the dustbin of history. We are only trying to ensure the rule of law and make the guilty answer for their actions. And you sanction us for that!
What have we really done for you to harbor so much hatred for this ancient nation and its people? I mean what we have REALLY done to you that, year after year you try to push us through the earth whenever we try to get on our feet? No, the real reasons are not the ones that are TV-camera specific.
When the world needed us we went to the Congo putting the lives of hundreds of our compatriots to ensure the candle of peace and stability in the region isn’t blown out. When the world needed us we went to Korea so that a potentially global mayhem and destruction is avoided. The world still needed us and our soldiers are keeping watch in troubled spots so that the world sleeps peacefully. And you sanction us for that! When terrorism struck the center of the free world we were among the first in offering our readiness to fight terrorism anywhere and everywhere in any way we can. We’re still doing that. And when Ethiopians themselves fall victims to terrorist acts how heartless can you be to turn your backs on us! And you sanction us for that!
Again, what have we REALLY done to you for you to try to deny us our every right to exist? Why are you so keen to ensure Ethiopia stayed poor and always needing you handouts? And you talk about ‘poverty reduction’ and all that stuff! Wouldn’t you agree nothing could be more bizarre than swearing to create a poverty-free while condemning a hundred ten million people to eternal poverty?
By the way the Ethiopian people never forget the international public response during some the worst famines of their history. Please, we’re not talking about governments and politicians! Not them. We are talking about the people who have to put fewer plates on their dinner tables so that a starving nation is saved from further death and destruction. We’re talking about millions of children elsewhere in the world who skipped their meals to save the starving children of Ethiopia! God bless them all. But their politicians; they are a completely different story.
And then there the so-called, big-muscle global media. Don’t you people ever again tell us about fairness; don’t you ever again to lecture us on objectivity; don’t ever again try to tell us you stand on the side of truth and justice. You don’t. Many of you are there for the best bidder! You’re no better from the politicians who think they are entitled to kick around the poor and the weak. (Respect to those who try report things as they really are on the round without sprinkling them with politically prejudiced jabs.)
The tragedy is of course by being selective they try to prevent our voices from reaching the international public. And sadly they haven’t failed in this mercenary-like outrage. The very people who ensure these media people have plates enough on their dinner tables are denied the truth; The very people who put the politicians in those chairs which you’re abusing. And you talk about fake news! Really! You are doing it with dizzying frequency and blame others for spreading fake news! This should have been an informed age where telling lies should have been difficult if not impossible. It should have been an age where the lairs should have been called out for their actions. It isn’t! When the very institutions which should have been watchdogs of truth, fairness and justice act otherwise, you know the remote control is in the wrong hands. That’s what they are trying to do to us! Isn’t it? Remote-control us into doing their biddings!
It’s like someone throws some banana peel on the busiest sidewalk and an unfortunates slips and stumbles. Who’s guilty? Of course the guy who stepped on it in the first place. Did the jury say that? Unanimously! Ha! Ha! Ha! So don’t whine about the bruises you brought on yourself. No one is impressed. “You should have seen where you’re going!” As far as we’re concerned that’s how much of the word works. “Life without the possibility of parole!” that‘s what victims like us seem to be getting these days! Many times you wonder what has gone with the world. Sometimes you wonder what’s wrong with yourself! Nothing! Nothing is wrong with you. Simply, ours is a messed up world!
The battle lines are drawn, so to say. Ethiopians will rise to the challenge like they always did. It might painful; it might prove challenging like it has never been before; there might be more steep cliffs and deep valleys on the way than green fields. But rest assured there will be no stopping these proud people, who have seen it, and lived it all. But still if you have doubts that Ethiopians would stand their ground what may, a piece of advice, look into the history books, the genuine ones!
Please spare us the ‘Conan the Barbarian’ game!
Ephrem Endale
Contributer
The Ethiopian Herald 30 May 2021