According to different eyewitness accounts and recorded sources, some foreign countries’ embassies, international relief agencies, international media houses (CNN, BBC, and Aljazeera), western activists and individuals, among others have been vividly aggravating conflict in Ethiopia.
These individuals, groups and organizations also provide enormous material, financial, and psychological support to the terrorist TPLF remnants. These enterprises never hesitate in backing the terrorists and terrorism in Africa and Ethiopia. In a manner there daily job and prime target is terrorizing Ethiopian mothers, children, and elders, they are absorbed in making huge profit from enflaming conflicts.
Those institutions though act as if they are striving to defend and protect human rights, the scenario happened on the ground is just the opposite. The incidences that have occurred in many of African and other third world countries prove this reality. Under the guise of humanitarianism, they have been promoting their hidden agendas.
Any terrorist attack in Africa is their suitable cooked up marketing opportunities for some western media that make their headlines great. It is mysterious why they prefer to laud the advancements of the terrorist group to the atrocities of millions Ethiopians by the junta.
Even they are attempting to mislead the global community and terrify Ethiopians through issuing series of security warnings that request their fellow citizens to evacuate from Ethiopia saying the TPLF forces are approaching to enter into Addis Ababa any time soon.
However, the reality on the ground is proving them wrong and exposing their white lies.
Recently, with the aim to show Ethiopia’s peacefulness, the Ethiopian government has urged the Diaspora community and Ethiopia’s friends to come home and celebrate the upcoming Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) and Epiphany (Timket) with families and friends.
Following the irrelevant and repetitive security warnings of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa and other organizations, the government has made the call for Ethiopian Diasporas living in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia to spend the grand Christmas holiday in their homeland.
As Prime Minister Office Press Secretary Billene Seyoum, the response from Ethiopians is very positive and encouraging. Many Ethiopians and Ethiopian friends are preparing to travel to Ethiopia to come home and celebrate Ethiopian Christmas on January 07/2022.
Including the renowned journalist Hermela Aregawi, notable persons in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia are also announced their preparations to come to Ethiopia and join the great Ethiopians homecoming challenge.
Ethiopian Ambassador to the USA Fitsum Arega had also recently tweeted a video that shows an American citizen, who speaks Amharic language well, expressing his willingness to pay a visit to the great Ethiopians homecoming challenge.
“I speak Amharic language very well. I am Habesha. I miss Ethiopia and I want to go to Ethiopia. I accept the great Ethiopians homecoming challenge and I will be the one from one million Ethiopian Diasporas and friends of Ethiopia who join the challenge. I, along with my wife, always pray to Ethiopia. God’s blessing, love, and peace shall be upon Ethiopia,” he said.
The great Ethiopians homecoming challenge is seen as a great opportunity towards stimulating the country’s tourism potential, promoting indigenous cultural festivals such as Ethiopian Genna (Christmas) and Timket (Epiphany).
In sum, the great Ethiopians homecoming challenge targets to demonstrate to the whole world as Ethiopia is safe and peaceful for travellers. Further, it conveys a message of unity and togetherness to the international community. In addition, the homecoming challenge commends the country’s longstanding supporters’ contribution and unreserved support at this time of need.
What is more, it also helps to subsidise the Ethiopian economy through creating opportunities for the Diaspora community to engage in various sectors, including trade, investment, and other areas that had been suffering hugely following westerners’ pressure.
Ethiopia wins the heart of foreigners. As it is home to diversified natural and manmade tourist attractions, it becomes one of the most preferable tourist destinations on the planet. The nation is not a place of war as Westerns and their affiliated media speculated. The on-going law enforcement measures of the government in the northern part of the country are succeeding very well and it will end through arresting the terrorist remnants. Therefore, nothing will hamper international tourists, Ethiopian Diasporas, and friends of Ethiopia from coming home. The great Ethiopians homecoming challenge becomes a great milestone to show every Ethiopian’s true love of the motherland and their deep-rooted patriotic sentiments. Ethiopians portray patriotism in practice, not in theory. #NoMore!
The idea of the Great Ethiopian Home Coming Challenge was first initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Following the call, various preparations are underway. Among others the Ethiopian Airlines has already introduced a 30 present discount for passengers who are purchasing tickets by December 20, 2021. Likewise, hotels in the capital are preparing to provide standard services to the Diaspora and Ethiopian friends.
According to Addis Ababa Hotel Owners’ Association, hotels in the capital are preparing to provide standard services to the Diaspora and Ethiopian friends through arranging special packages.
Association General Manager, Amaha Bekele, told ENA that the association has discussed on the preparations with more than 175 hotels, including star-rated hotels.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD DECEMBER 24/2021
