The word anger can not adequately describe the feelings patriotic Ethiopian both at home and abroad have been collectively expressing for the last two weeks. More and more people across Africa, the black movements in America and Europe, and even the Chinese are jumping on the bandwagon of the NO-More campaign. From the far East in Korea to the Far West in California, from far south Pretoria to up north in Oslo, Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia have been lashing out at the western powers’ move to implement their neo-colonialist plots in Ethiopia.
A rebel group that has been silently eating away at the nation’s resources for almost three decades, and antagonizing citizens with its divisive policies is now struggling to make a came back. As if what it did behind the scene yesterdays was not enough, TPLF presently is engaged in an openly declared campaign to destroy the Ethiopian state. Unlike in the past, TPLF has revealed its true colors through its evil rhetoric and destructive actions. Wherever TPLF reaches, there is a massacre and destruction. Ethiopia’s historical enemies and western powers with neo-colonialist agendas are backing TPLF’s impossible aspirations with various supports: military logistics, media, and diplomatic and whatnots.
As the TPLF’s mission impossible progresses over the last 12months, the hidden supports of western powers and Ethiopia’s enemies are increasingly becoming more naked and more suffocating. The support to TPLF that started with biased fake news coverage and hidden logistic support has grown to a threat of military intervention. As stated in nature’s law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So does the opposite reaction for the dangerous undue pressure of western powers against the sovereignty of Ethiopia, like a counter punch.
Thus the unprecedented and concerted pressure of foreign powers has given rise to an opposite global reaction of anger and defiance by Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. The global tide of anger at the danger posed by Western powers against Ethiopia’s freedom and sovereignty is still reverberating across scores of major cities across the world. And it does not seem to subside any time soon. “There is growing anger among groups in other African nations, who see American meddling in Ethiopia as an attack on Africa itself, a colonial assault.” says a British writer.
Streets of major cities across the USA, Canada, Europe have been inundated with angry demonstrators holding the Ethiopian and Eritrean flags and placards with messages of anger and defiance against the politicians and media outlets of the western world. People from the neighboring states and friendly nations like Somalis, Jamaicans, as well as African Americans have joined the Ethiopians and Eritreans in the demonstration. And that would serve as a reminder that what is going on in northern Ethiopia is not just a rebel group against a legitimate government; it is about the western powers with neo-colonialist agenda locking horns with the peoples of the black nations.
“I never thought there exists such a colossal number of people in the whole Europe, let alone in here in this city. That is undoubtedly the greatest ever gathering of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. The NO More rally held in this city reminds me of the massive demo held in 2005 during the third national elections in support of a former opposition party, CUD.” said an Ethiopian political analyst residing in Amsterdam,
These waves of demonstrations have made it clear to the western powers and their accomplices that the conflict in Ethiopia is an internal affair of a sovereign nation and can not serve as an excuse to place a client regime in Addis Ababa. The demo also showed to the world that Ethiopians have time tested capability to resolve their home affairs issue if only they are left alone. The concerted smear campaign against Ethiopia by the leading media outlets including CNN, BBC, Reuters, feeds the buildup of misguided narratives about the war and Ethiopia’s situation. Western politicians need these narratives to use as a pretext to legitimize their interferences up to military interventions.
In addition to denouncing the evil and selfish intentions of western powers, the series of mass rallies have proved that the government enjoys the support of the overwhelming majority of Ethiopians. All most all citizens, despite their political difference, have shown their solidarity with the Ethiopian government in the survival struggle against the terrorist groups and their neocolonialist supporters.
The Ethiopian ambassador to the US words clearly depicts the unparalleled vigor and rigor of the rising of voices of Ethiopians and Ethiopia’s allies. “It is a historic and momentous day in Ethiopian Diaspora. Tens of thousands in several cities around the world came out as one community to show solidarity for Ethiopian unity, sovereignty & dignity. We stand as one. The Ethiopian diaspora has made history by roaring out “No More”. Kudos to all.”. Similarly, the Ethiopian Premier, in appreciation of the global tide of anger against Ethiopia’s enemies, has recently tweeted: “My fellow Ethiopians here and in the Diaspora, your role in telling the world the truth is commendable. In unity, we can overcome the existential threat this ancient nation is confronted with by forces far & near. As children of #Adwa, we will carry Ethiopia Resiliently Onwards.”.
Analysts suggest the unprecedented mobilization of the Ethiopian Diaspora should keep up its momentum, which was an opportunity to boost the diasporas’ participation in rebuilding the nation. They say organized actions of the diaspora could effectively mitigate the external pressures on the economy, help in the rehabilitation efforts for the war-affected compatriots, and strengthen the campaign for survival against terrorist and their sympathizers.
The Ethiopian Diaspora has already made a remarkable response to the call of the motherland by intensifying activates in fundraising campaigns for national causes and registering a record level of legal remittances. Records show the remittances by the Ethiopians Diaspora through legal channels have made a dramatic spike. This action in addition to being a response to the country’s dire need for foreign currency is also an effort to dry out channels funding terrorist groups and other criminal actors actively working to undermine the political and economic stability of the nation.
The public diplomacy activities of the Diaspora are getting more organized in a bid to explain the reality in Ethiopia which is totally different from what is being distortedly portrayed by the international media. Members of the Diaspora are reportedly ingratiating themselves with congresspersons and senators in their respective constituencies, urging them to stand against the irrational decisions of sanctioning Ethiopia.
The potential for the collective force of the Ethiopian diaspora in the US has already manifested itself by playing a decisive role in recently held federal and state elections in various states. Speaking recently on the Ethiopian Diaspora’s determination more than ever before to support Ethiopia in any way possible, the Coordinator of the Council for Ethiopian Diaspora Action (CEDA) said: “ We are ready to defend our nation by any means and at all costs”.
So the message is now loud and clear to Biden and Blinken. Ethiopians around the globe have spoken. Come what may military, diplomatic or economic, or media warfare, Ethiopia’s sovereignty, and freedom will never be compromised. Biden and Blinken must have learned millions of Ethiopians have now realized they are fighting with multiple enemies on multiple fronts for their existence and to defend their freedom. And they are prepared to pay any sacrifice required of them without blinking an eye. Surely, The White House people have heard that even Ethiopian Premier has already joined the gallant Ethiopian forces in the battlefront to pay the ultimate price in a bid to repeat the Adowa victory over colonialism.
BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD DECEMBER 2/2021
