We often hear historians say that the history of Ethiopia is full of conflicts, preparations for conflicts, battles, mobilizations, campaigns and post-conflict events. For centuries Ethiopians had to somehow face the challenges of the times which were often characterized by disputes, disagreements and issues of power besides of course invasions by alien forces and the calls made to counter these invasions. But this is not something particularly akin to Ethiopia alone. It has been experienced elsewhere as well.
History books teem with all sorts of wars and conflicts for a quantity of reasons. Basically, it is because there have always been competing interests and rivalries among countries, governments, peoples and communities, and very often peaceful solutions are not always easily attainable. Hence, the last resort taken is confrontation with the deployment of armies. Wars must have appealed to many military and political leaders also as a means of reasserting one’s supremacy over others. Often traditions of bravery and heroism are also behind these adventurous but very damaging enterprises.
If we take a quick look at the history of Europe alone, we find out that in many occasions it had to undergo extended epochs of conflicts, invasions and military campaigns with tremendous costs and losses not only with the millions of lives lost, but also with vast destruction of infrastructure and property. For instance, the consequences of the two world wars alone could be qualified as massively catastrophic with the extent of violence and the duration of the hostilities as well as the kinds of armaments used including the nuclear bomb!
For years there was hardly any normal life in Europe, Asia and even America due to engagements in the worldwide conflicts. Every aspect of human life in the affected areas was totally dominated by war related affairs. The total mobilization of peoples for the war efforts meant that millions of families had in their mind only the war. And once the war was over, subsequent agreements were sealed; the whole world was engaged in the reconstruction and rehabilitation endeavours which involved tremendous resources.
The issue of the displaced and the rehabilitation of so many families, the beginning of life from the ashes of the violence all meant that huge efforts were required. The post conflict scenario has its own peculiar characteristics and nature. The consequences were not only physical but also psychological. Those who lost their loved ones not only in the violence but also in the displacement, those who lived the violence in prima persona had to struggle with the trauma of such tragic losses. The nastiness of conflicts is that they do not distinguish between the actual fighters and those who have no idea about what exactly was going on such as children and other vulnerable sectors of society. It is a nightmare scenario that calls for huge psychological counseling.
Various kinds of offenses are recorded during war times particularly related to massacres of non belligerent civilians, sexual offenses against women, looting and vandalizing of public and private property, especially by rogue elements in the population, or even in the armed groups. Families get dispersed with often no contacts. The despair that follows is often unbearable; the anxiety about the safety of family members is devastating.
Even gauging the extent of losses and damages due to a war is a huge task. This is so because only if the extent of the damages is known can there be a plan of action for the reconstruction.
Ethiopians as well are not new to conflict experiences. They have undergone various episodes of fierce wars and devastating violence with millions deeply affected in one way or another. Even if we limit ourselves to the past one hundred years, we find out how much violence and destruction was involved during the wars that were carried out following the Fascist Italy’s invasion in the late 1920s. Those were among the dark ages of the country’s citizens who never enjoyed peace for five years. Various cycles of violence and atrocities were borne by citizens including the exposure to chemical weapons despite prohibitions by international conventions.
In battling to preserve the dignity and territorial integrity of their country, Ethiopians’ continuous resistance was relentless. Thousands of lives may be sacrificed, not only by actual fighters but also in revenges carried out following ambushes by patriots. Peaceful families were completely burnt down on suspicion of sheltering the patriots; and even clergy and women were targeted. The resistance movement was always stiff and widespread and the revenge of the Fascists was equally extensive and ruthless.
Ethiopians hence had to endure various forms of traumatic experiences. But once liberation was achieved, there were not many years of total peace. Opposition to the monarchy involved public uprising and violence was inevitable. Again after the military take over and its extended reign, more resistance was borne and periods of violence followed resulting in the overthrow of the military by the EPRDF coalition.
In between, Ethiopia was once again called to defend itself from foreign aggression when the Siad Barre Somali government violated the country’s sovereign territory. Another massive mobilization had to be mounted and calls for enormous sacrifices had to be made. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country demanded it. Consequently, Ethiopians were once again exposed to the traumatic and tragic experiences caused wars.
Be that as it may, the nature, intensity and magnitude of the current war efforts in the north of the country are to say the least unprecedented, and unparalleled. Above all, what makes this conflict overwhelmingly catastrophic is the fact that first the origin of the conflict is an internal force, a local force; secondly this internal enemy is not acting alone but with the collaboration and encouragement of alien forces. Thirdly, and more significantly, the rationale of the conflict is to unseat a democratically elected government through violent means and assume power!
Ethiopians were completely taken aback by the intensity and extent of the attack and violence as well as by the timing of it all. This was even more aggravated by the massacre of innocent people who had nothing to do with the war and by the wanton destruction of crucial infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and businesses. Such experience was not even heard of in the history of conflicts as reports of killings of cattle and domestic animals were added. It has shown us how degraded and disgusting these forces are and how they tried to dehumanize their own brothers and sisters. The usage of women and children as human shields in front of their armed men is also among the most disgraceful faces of this war the TPLF terrorists and their allies imposed on Ethiopia.
What are the challenges that Ethiopia now faces in the coming months and years once the guns are silenced? It is definitely a huge ask to reckon. It is a massive homework. More than any time in the past Ethiopians are asked to stand together not only to recover from the trauma of tremendous losses and wanton destruction, but also to contribute to the efforts of reconstruction and attempts to resume life as before.
It is clear that nothing will be as before November 2020. It is also clear that the cohabitation of people among communities involved in the violence will be severely challenged. But learning from the experience of other countries which have undergone similar violence and losses, we have no choice but to immediately put it behind us and look forward denying space to hatred and replacing it with love. The examples of South Africa of the immediate post-Apartheid period, the examples of the Rwanda of post 1994 genocide, and of course the example of the way Western Europe rose up again on the ashes of World War I and II are all pertinent to our case.
When conflicts end, the next phase must be how to overcome the effects of the worst fall outs. People must be encouraged and supported to look for the slim light at the end of the long tunnel so that they recover from the probable demoralization and be open to reconciliation and enduring peace. In both South Africa and Rwanda, the call to forgive but not to forget was made and accepted. The rationale was to avoid further revenges and retributions which would destroy both countries totally!
Undoubtedly, the conflict underway in our country may now push Ethiopians to feel overwhelmed by agony and distress. Their feelings have been deeply hurt by the extent of betrayal imposed on them by whom they considered brothers and by foreign powers taken as close allies. The betrayal was from multiple sides and this has disheartened Ethiopians. When the terrorist TPLF forces seemed to advance menacingly nearer to the center of the country, the support and collaboration of these alien forces became even bigger and clearer by the day. They bombarded Ethiopia with massive propaganda in support of the cause of the terrorists. They urged foreign missions to withdraw from Ethiopia and they threatened sanctions. But Ethiopians along with their allies did not blip. The unity of the people was solid and unshakeable. The call for negotiation with terrorists was out of question and this stance remained unshakeable. Interference in our internal affairs was condemned by Ethiopians all over the world and by allies. The #NoMore movement has been a huge success all over the world!
Once this war ends, Ethiopians will be called to re-examine carefully their relations with certain countries. The wounds of this war will probably not heal soon. The scars will probably remain for ages. The lessons must however be everlasting. Ethiopians have been tested several times in the past, but this one seems among the hardest because the enemies are multiple and overwhelming coming from multiple directions in various forms. However, history testifies Ethiopians are very resilient people. With 110 million people they are among the biggest nations in Africa and their long and glorious history of independence and civilization makes them one of the symbols of black people of the world. That is why Ethiopia cannot fall apart easily as many of its enemies may hope, desire, or predict.
The spirit of being Ethiopian has proved multiple times to be solid and expansive. It is contagious and is bound to inspire the whole of black people in the world. May be that is why alien forces who want to control Africa would like to begin in Ethiopia. In any case, Ethiopia will have to take a valuable lesson from what has happened during the past thirteen months. The sacrifice it had to endure must be made worthwhile by being extra careful in the coming years when dealing with problems of the kind it faced. The millions of people affected by this tragedy must be supported wholeheartedly so that they can resume their normal lives as soon as possible. For this massive operation, Ethiopians alone may not be in a position to carry out successfully this massive operation.
Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia all over the world will have to stretch their helping and generous hands to reconstruct the country. History will then record this infamous year as one of the darkest in the history of the country!
The challenges of the days are overwhelming and need the efforts of every Ethiopian. Apart the challenges of reconstruction and rehabilitation, there will be the huge challenge of addressing the psychological trauma of people. There is need to approach these people and help them recover from the trauma. There is need of psychologists and psychiatrists ready to counsel these people.
In trying to reorganize life as before there is need to re-establish the vandalized administrative units. This is a huge task because it may require beginning from scratch. Besides, as many of the officials who used to work in the various administrative units may not be immediately available for various reasons, there could be scarcity of trained personnel.
Given that the entire business infrastructure has been demolished or looted there is need to open new businesses to cater for the needs of communities. Health and educational infrastructure, power etc have been destroyed or damaged and this is another challenge to cope with. Such post war scenario seems doomsday scenario but there should be no room for despair because even if it may take time and huge resources, rehabilitation and reconstruction are achievable if we all unite with a sense of purpose and a feeling of bright hope for the future.
BY FITSUM GETACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD DECEMBER 15/2021
