Nation has witnessed incredible reforms in political, social and national affairs following the coming to office of the incumbent Premier. The release of political prisoners, national reconciliation, detention of suspects of corruption and human rights violation, revival of national feeling, assignment of women on key ministerial and federal posts, and the reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea are the witnessed reforms so far.
The public has been showing sincere support for the ongoing reforms from the inception with massive demonstration and pledging. The major demonstrations held here in Addis and other regional cities were showcases for that.
However, the reforms that have been taken so far were not taken positively among few who were afraid of losing the ill-gotten gains they amassed while being in power. From the very beginning, officials, politicians, scholars etc … were frequently calling for careful handling of such forces, contending that such forces are inevitable in any national reform.
A case in point; we have witnessed artificially induced scarcity of basic and other substantial goods on a sporadic basis so far. The scarcities of kerosene, petroleum, steel supply were among the recently seen ones.
On top of that, illegal money laundering, both local and foreign money notes, has been a headache for the nation as well. Many smugglers have been caught red-handed with huge amount of money, and taken to custody.
Different concerned government bodies, especially the Ministry of Revenues, stated at different times that the scarcity is purposefully planned by some malevolent minded forces to impede the ongoing reform. They also called on the public to work with the government in the hunt to put these illegal traders under control.
This would not be a surprise for most of the public as such movements have been observed in different forms, such as instigating violence so as to destabilize the well-being of the public, and concoct a suspicion on the public’s mind regarding the ongoing reforms.
The government’s effort to stabilize the economy and take the appropriate reform measures in the sector would not be effective amid such artificially induced scarcities and sabotages.
The economic sabotage, which adversely affects national development and individual livelihood, needs to be tackled collaboratively. The people who are in charge of such evil deeds would not be completely out of the sight of the community. Government’s effort to put under arrest these individuals will be fruitful with the active cooperation of the society.
Cognizant of the outcomes of such economic sabotage on our day to day lives and national grand projects, the public should whistle the blow on possible suspects, and play vital role in supporting the on going reform.
Herald December 12/2018
