BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
After a couple of days, Ethiopians will bid farewell for the old year and welcome the New Year, 2015. As it is known, the outgoing year, 2014 has been a year that Ethiopia and Ethiopians have been tested by various challenges.
However, while they are welcoming in the New Year, they aspire to see a peaceful, united and prosperous Ethiopia where its citizens feel secured, protected, satisfied and can lead successful lives.
As part of this ambition and to welcome the New Year optimistically with brighter hope and aspirations that they can turn their wishes into reality, Ethiopians from the beginning are undertaking various activities, dedicating each day of the Pagumen (the 13th months of the year) for particular purposes.
And today (Pagumen 3, 2014 E.C), Ethiopians are marking ‘Peace Day’ with various programs and events that heighten the value of peace.
In fact, the value of peace not only for Ethiopians but also for global community is incalculable; as it is a foundation and a prerequisite for all good things. Without peace, leave alone promoting development, and realizing personal ambitions spending a moment without fear, anxiety, worry and heartache, is improbable. That is why Ethiopians prioritize peace and exert utmost effort to maintain sustainable peace and stability and to cease conflicts in every possible means.
Regarding the value of peace for any society and the Peace Day that Ethiopians are marking, The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Tsehaye Asnake, a resident in Shewa Robit Town, Semien Shewa Zone of the Amhara State.
As to him, peace is the nucleus of all things. Unless there is peace, no country can realize its development goals; and no individual can live in a peaceful atmosphere, untroubled. Thus, peace should be promoted and protected.
“It is high time to act rather than talk for peace. In my view, the leadership should strive for peace and the safety of the people,” he added.
Hopefully, the New Year will be a year of peace, unity and prosperity for Ethiopians and a year which Ethiopia beats all odds and prevails.
Mentioning the peace efforts of the government, he said, the people need peace and in this regard its move is commendable. The Federal government effort in putting in place unilateral peace talks to restore the peace and deescalate tensions, and let humanitarian aids be supplied unhindered to the war torn areas of Tigray show government’s sustained effort and commitment for peace. On the other way round, the refusal of the T-TPLF group for peace demonstrates its arrogance.
“As the nation is found on the eve to celebrate its New Year, we, Ethiopians, aspire to peace flourish across the country and even beyond. War could not bring solution to differences and undo problems; other than leading the country to destructions and backwardness,” he remarked.
Merid Estifanos, from France, on his part noted that, the cozy celebrations New Year are usually focused on family events and tend to last a week or more. I remember the holiday starts on New Year‘s eve when each household comes together to light wooden torches, (chibbo) which symbolize the coming of the new season of sunshine after the end of the rainy season. There are also light bonfires in the backyards, dancing around in circles and simply having a jolly good time as a family, elder pray for peace.
Ethiopia can realize its peace sustainably if its children work in harmony through established system. “In my view, the conflict started in the northern part of the country has impacted the nation negatively. We are still witnessing fanning ethnic conflicts. Peace talks approach should be the only way to address demands and sustain law and order accordingly.”
As he stated, seconding peace at any rate and engaging in development activities is critical for the reason there are still a number fellow citizens live in extreme poverty. And elongated conflict is like adding insult on injury.
“Peace should come first. In my view, the conflict may place the future of the country, its people and the stability of the wider Horn of Africa region in grave uncertainty,” Merid underscored.
The people should be clear about the root causes that gave rise to the conflict initially as well ways to sustainably resolved it; not always through war and violence.
“We shall leave no stone unturned in our search for peace in our country. … our commitment to pursuing a lasting and durable peace in our country shall remain steadfast,” it was Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated some months ago, at the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly.
True, conflict and insecurity can harm the peace and stability of the people not only a given country but also countries of the Horn and beyond. Unarguably, the year-long conflict has cost the country dearly. In addition to leading the nation to human sufferings, death, displacement, and injury, the war has used up its resources, drained all its energy and limited its forward progress for development.
Due to this and most importantly they know the devastating consequences of conflict well, Ethiopians, while thinking about the New Year, prospect the coming year to be a time that they breathe sigh of relief. Therefore, they would do whatever they can to abort conflicts and maintain peace in order to advance unabated development.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2022
