Experts proposed Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day (NNPD) to be part of more scholarly forum where it would serve as a genuine platform enhancing shared values, national unity beyond a mere display of cultural dances.
The experts also cast their doubt on the real impact of the Day arguing it had largely been used for political gains. The 13th NNPs Day will be marked in Addis Ababa on tomorrow amidst wide ranges of reforms introduced by the government.
The country also saw scuffles that has led to displacement of peoples behooving the government a daunting task to address it, according to them. The experts call to move into what they say a more impactful and realistic ways of NNPs day.
Had the celebration been contributing towards unity and tolerance, the displacement of people and conflicts would have not happened. In fact, it requires lots of tough jobs to promote unity and reconciliation in the country, notes a historian, Hialemelekot Agizew. “One cannot afford to solely embrace ethnic identity over national identity.”
In fact, unless the controversies in the constitution are resolved and consensus is obtained, marking NNP’s day cannot make a big difference in promoting unity. The Day perhaps should be replaced with Ethiopian National Unity Day. Unity is beyond a brief time of campaign, he proposes. “We need to rewrite the rhetoric on how to accommodate diversity and promote unity.”
The problem emanates from the very essence of the Day the fact that it does not clearly define and magnify national unity.” Unity relies on real and genuine dialogue, scholarly consultations as well as media debates to uproot discord and animosity as well as solidify unity, he says. “It seemed to me that the Day has been politically misused.
While celebrating the Day is a good one, its purpose and intention has not been well understood,” says Musa Adem, Political Science Lecturer at Jigjiga University. “The academia has not been involved. Previous celebrations were used for political consumption and appeared to be more of a campaign nature.” Besides being a platform of cultural display of dances and songs, it needs to serve epicenter of academic discussion, he says, noting that the Day should also be a tool to share experiences and learn about one another. The celebration did not give primacy to national identity, according to him.
Genuine and democratic nationalism should not be limited to ethnic lines, Ethiopian identity should be emphasized, says Mekele University Department of Heritage Conservation Associate Professor Ayele Bekeri. There has been much focus on ethnicity at the expense of national unity, Prof. Ayele says adding that academic institutions should conduct research as to how to improve the platform in promoting diversity and unity in the country.
The institutions should also be playing prominent role in promoting tolerance and unity among the youth. The celebration of the Day is in line with the very essence of the FDRE Constitution that is to promote diversity and unity. Such platforms are vital to exchange experience and cultural values so as to enhance shared values, argues Prof.
Mitiku Haile, Lecturer at Mekelle University. “I do not see any problem regarding the marking of the Day, I even believe that such platforms need be strengthened,” Prof. Mitiku says, adding: “Though it requires a thorough research whether the celebration brought significant impact or not, marking the Day should be part of national platforms to reinforce unity among nations, nationalities and people’s of the country.” Higher learning institutions should play central role in promoting the different assets and cultural values of the diverse people of the county, according to him.
The celebration needs to be accompanied with panel discussions, artistic works that can depict the traditional values of nations, nationalities and peoples of the country, Prof. Mitiku concludes.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 7/2018
BY DETSA GEBREHIWOT
