BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Have you heard about the story of a lion and four oxen which were keeping each other, standing in unison and becoming unconquerable for a lion that was hanging around to attack them?
The four oxen, by standing turning their tails to one another and giving their pointed horns to the lion whichever way it approached to them, were enabled to make the attack more difficult for the lion; and keep it at a distance.
Unfortunately, because they had started quarrelling among themselves and raise divisions trapped by the calculated tricks of the lion, they ended up in a total separation. The oxen which once had strong alliance; and they were almost unbeatable for any attackers; ended up being lion’s preys because of their division.
The lion, by creating enmity and differences among the oxen, it realized its target. It attacked the four oxen one by one.
This fable has something to do with Ethiopia and its enemies. There were several attempts to create differences and hatreds among Ethiopians from internal as well as external forces. Those anti-peace and anti-Ethiopian elements have tried repeatedly every opportunity to stir the peace and the stability of Ethiopia, destabilize and disintegrate it; but they have failed.
The Terrorist Shene group and others (nation’s internal and external enemies) are still trying their best to create enmity among Ethiopians.. However, no matter how hard they tried, they could not succeed in their ill intentions because separation is not the true identity of Ethiopians.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, at the 16th ordinary meeting of the House of People’s Representatives held yesterday also repeated this same fable while stating the value of unity; and the cost discord and separation may incur. He also highlighted the attempts what Ethiopia’s and Ethiopians’ enemies are doing- to spread enmity and differences among Ethiopians, create havoc and disintegrate the country.
Responding to questions raised by members of parliament (MPs) with regard to the current matter Abiy said that anti-Ethiopia elements have tried and are still trying to jeopardize the peace and stability of the nation. However, strong Ethiopian sentiment that transcends the attempts of our enemies has still kept Ethiopians unity. As he stated, no matter how anti-Ethiopian elements are trying their best to stir the peace and stability of the nation, Ethiopia will not disintegrated.
According to him, Ethiopia’s enemies have tried to create enmity based on ethnicity and religion; though their ill intentions do not yield any result; but turned out to be fruitless.
“They are trying to erode the value of coexistence among the people and create enmity between Oromo and Amhara people; violent confrontations between Amhara with Amhara; Oromo with Oromo; Afar with Somali; Sidama people with Wolaita people. When this fails to achieve its mean goal, they have tried to use religion as a pretext to stir our peace. Whenever they got an opportunity, they are seen trying to create enmity between Muslim and Christian and, Muslim with Muslim or Christian with Christian.”
Attempts were also made to disintegrate Ethiopia several times. Those anti-Ethiopia elements have tried diplomacy, economic war to cripple nation’s advancement. An effort was also exerted to destroy Ethiopia through proxy war or media. However, none of them had been successful; and will never be.
Some people associate Shene with Oromo people. The truth is different. Shene does not represent Oromo. The terrorist group is the enemy of all Ethiopian peoples; including Oromos. The insurgents of the group have massacred people regardless of their ethnic background. Among the people killed by the militants of the group, there are also Oromo people. A son, who is member of the Shene group, mercilessly massacred his father for exposing his evil acts to government security forces.
Shene is not only the group from one ethnic group a group that is composed of different anti peace elements that work day and night to destroy Ethiopia. Labelling this group as terrorist does not make a difference. That is why we are consistently fighting it.
The terrorist Shene and its associates have no any goal or political motive. It is a group composed of beasts. A beast group, which torture elder people, children and women, could not have political agenda.
According to the Premier, no country can fight and win Ethiopia or destroy it. However, this does not mean that its enemies will sit idle from attempting whatever they can to disintegrate it. Due to this, the problem is complex and needs to be addressed accordingly,
While elaborating concerning negotiation with the other party, Prime Minister Abiy said that Ethiopia always prioritizes peace more than anything else and his government uses all options to sustain the peace of the nation. If discussion and negotiation brings peace, the government will hold it anytime even with its enemies; but without compromising nation’s national interest and unity. This is not something new. The Dergue had been negotiating with its enemies, he added.
“We are passing through hard times. However, every challenge strengthens us instead of crippling our effort. We will send message to our enemies that the government is a resilient government and, if necessary it is willing to pay the necessary sacrifice. It is established based on a concrete foundation. Nothing will prevent us from our goal to prosperity. I did not say we have not faced challenges. We did face them but, they did not hold us back,” he remarked.
The Premier also urged the people to join hands, strengthen unity and outdo this tiring time successfully.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 8 JULY 2022
