BY A STAFF REPORTER
After a mild engagement with Terrorist TPLF subsided following the defeat of the terrorist group that usually uses human waves, making a podium in a shade of a tree with wide spread braches that resembles a roof, a conversant Major from the political wing of ENDF was addressing soldiers and captives of Terrorist TPLF.
The point of this public speaker was clear streamlining the feeling of Ethiopians from both sides exposing the mendacious, barbaric, selfish, bellicose and destructive nature of the terrorist group. He likes dramatizing his speech with body languages. As artistic and flowery was the talk emanating from a pure heart all were listening to him with pin drop silence.
“How are you children of Ethiopia?”
“We are all fine praise to the Almighty!” all said in one voice
“I wish you all a happy new year!”
“The same to you,” they once more replied. ”
“We hope unlike its predecessors, by the grace of God, the just ensued year will witness a peaceful year,” said some.
“Sure thing!” he said looking up the sky and drew out a handwritten paper from his over cloth and began addressing the audience clearing his throat.
“Though numerous doomsayers cried down a curse on Ethiopia, although a multitude of heinous deeds were carried out against this ancient country and even if several enemies gathering from every corner militated against this emblem of freedom, they could not pull down our motherland from its time-old sovereignty pedestal.”
Pausing he scanned the faces of his attendees who reciprocated with bright eyes and ever-alert hears to listen additional things.
“Over one year has elapsed since Ethiopia began surging forward conducting a peaceful election and establishing a new government, the attempts to blemish and belittle the incumbent as well as open multipronged and multifarious war campaigns notwithstanding.”
They nodded in the affirmative.
“This is made possible thanks to the inexorable—and—devastating collective arm of Ethiopians. It is an arm ever-alert to squash enemies, who indulge in provocative follies transgressing the red line. Embracing votaries of peace and burying the heinous in the very pit they dig for others as a ruse are the characteristic features of Ethiopians. Unity is a fervent passion of Ethiopians as ever before. The sentiment will keep going in the same zeal.”
Clapping hands attended the speech
“Though the just departed year is but a sum of 365 days, when viewed through the prism of the countless throes the country passed through the time period proves a gruesome one. The country and its citizens circumvented many obstacles to emerge victorious. It was a quirky year when we evaded many pitfalls prepared for our downfall.”
He projected an anxiety stamped face. Some were sobbing with a diffused feeling of grief for the fallen and elation for the victory achieved.
“Yet acid tested the country proved itself is worth its weight in gold.”
A thundering applause and whistling filled the air.
“The reason for this resides in the fact that apart from our warranted truthfulness that is coupled with our peacefulness, citizens are willing to pay all necessary sacrifices to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. From a rear guard support up to marching to the front Ethiopians, were active in playing their due role,” he pointed his finger to oxen tied a bit afar and tattered-clothes attired farmers carrying big breads on their backs with the aid of sticks.
All moved their eyes to the area he pointed his finger to.
“It is not to be forgotten, launching a media campaign that there will not be a legal government as of September (Meskerem 25), historic enemies, hypocrite allies and their Trojan horses here, conniving, did labor to put in place a puppet government. Also not forgettable is their attempts to conspicuously tear down Ethiopia handpicking individuals camouflaging the ploy with the cloak of federalist forces. This propaganda campaign attended by an open war rather glued Ethiopians one.”
When he paused for a while some are heard saying
“Journalism has got one leg in the grave following the congenital liars from the conceptual west like CNN, Washington post”
“Also so called journalists and activists like Martin Plaut that tries to out Herod Herod proving worse than terrorist TPLF leaders that pays them handsomely from the chunk of amassed fortune.”
Nodding yes the Major continued “Though Ethiopians and its people opted to bring forth a democratic state casting a ballot, historic enemies, collaborators and fifth columnists or internal terrorists could not stomach it. Yet the aforementioned maneuverers could not give up their nightmare of eroding our sovereignty, eating at our unity and creating a weak country in the region. They still make a frantic bid to realize their nefarious dream.”
“Though citizens espoused a democratically elected government connivers could not come to terms with citizen’s choice leave alone supporting it. They were supporting terrorist TPLF that waged war against the government from the very morning citizens put in place a democratically elected government. They do not want to remind themselves the terrorist group has stalled the lives of many, forced numerous for displacement and hunger and demolished infrastructures. Aghast it has inflicted a staggering number of human and material causalities. Despite the grotesqueness of the sad episode, they have persisted with lending it a kiss of life losing their guard that such an act is seen a kiss of death.”
“The conceptual western world, the devil and the terrorist TPLF are cut from the same cloth,” an angry solider shouted out to the delight of attendees that accompanied his statement with an assenting laughter.
Clearing his throat once more the major continued “But all the obstacles erected all along the way were averted, for Ethiopia has a government and people who could handle challenges sagaciously and courageously. All attempts to put a spoke in Ethiopia’s all-rounded wheel did prove futile. Be it today or tomorrow, our guarantee is the sentiment of national feeling and unity. We have to deploy a concerted effort to add to these jewels on the crown of the country coming up with new gems in the economic sphere. We know we have a robust army in full gear to defend the sovereignty of the country. Though our enemies know this full well, they want to make full advantage of our Achilles’ heel—gap in the economic front. Hence, we have to be firm in all spheres of endeavor.”
Saluting out while he began to leave the podium a private solider handed him a letter saying “It is found from the pocket of an elderly girl forcefully recruited by terrorist TPLF to join the human wave and victimized in crossfire. It shows the cruelty of the terrorist group”
“Read it yourself!” said the major pointing to the podium yet standing by him.
The private started with the latter was dated [10/10/2022 7:39 AM]
The tragedy of war in brief. And one can imagine those fallen from all sides, who couldn’t record their messages.
“To my whole family
From Rahwa (Mitu)
My dear and beloved parents, siblings and all family members! First of all, I would like to say how are you all? How about your health? I hope this letter finds you safe.
Though I’m doing fine I can’t stand the homesickness and pining for you. I have missed you than never before. Estranged, I long for you just like one suffering a water thirst. I feel like you are as remote as the sky. But what can I do? I have left all things to the creator, God. I never give up praying. I believe that as long as everything is God’s will, it is better to live entertaining hope, right?
Especially I always think and worry about my compassionate and innocent mother Abrehetye to whom I would lay my life on the altar of sacrifice. Thinking about you I never go to sleep. Mom, I know I didn’t extend to you a helping hand, especially when you badly needed my help. You see I couldn’t get the heart to see you cry in front of me. I had just to leave home without telling you. I know I also left you without a caregiver. I am sorry, mom. As one person should march per family according to TPLF’s leaders, I decided that I had to march in lieu of my brother. Obviously, he could be of much help to you than me. I’m sure you do not find it in your heart to hate me. And please don’t harbor anxiety about me. I am in good shape and safe. Now, the issue that bothers me day and night beyond the limit is the issue of my gorgeous and elite brother Priest (Haleka) Berhe.
A few days ago, I had a nightmare—a bad dream. I think it had to do with my brother Berhe. When I, out of a sudden, woke up and started crying, my friends asked, “What happened to you?” I related to them about the nightmare that bothered me. They comforted me, saying that the dream rather foreshadows a good unfolding. I also pray to Our Lady, Saint Mary to make everything for good.
Halek Berhe , how is your health? Are you attending mass and serving church with your family? I look forward to seeing you playing with your friends.
Please don’t feel sad because I deserted you! I beg you to forgive me, my dear. I promise, when the time comes, I will recompense you. I will see you soon.
*****
Please say hello to Baba (G/Wahd Birhane), my brother G/Hiwot, my sister Tirhas, Mahder, Danait, Daniel (Tsegaye), my brother Alula, my brother Binyam, I wish peace to all of you until we meet again.
Don’t worry about me, because it is the good will of our Lady Saint Mary (Mother of God) to see you again. Also, say hello to all the neighbors, to my mother (Abshay), Aregawi, Cherkos, Markos.
How about Yaye? (Brhane Gedey) Is he safe? Does he look old? How is Migbey? Say hello to Daniel G/her. Is Yeshu getting better? Also, say hello to the whole family. Bye, bye!!
Greetingsfrom my heart to my family. And the place where I am now is known as Raya.
Address: Dejena Regiment, Army-44, Core-441(1), Battalion-3, Force – 4,
Tigray shall prevail!!!”
*****
(At the top of the letter head, the notes say)
“One thing I forgot is the cooking pan (stove). It’s in the house I rented. I forgot it. Let Sara and others use it until then, so that it doesn’t take up space. Or keep it for me at Markos House. If they ask to buy it, the price is 2,000.00 Birr.”
Almost all couldn’t hold back their tears.//
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER R 2022
