BY MENGESHA AMARE
A Chinese friend of mine told me when we were recently discussing some issues that Ethiopia is equaled by none as it is well endowed with all what is found in the universe. However, he confidently uttered, there are some circumstances which have been potentially challenging the change, sustainable growth and lasting prosperity towards which the country is running.
When I tried to produce this piece what first came to my mind has been his heartiest expression about my country. Yes, I can assertively speak that I love my country as I do for my mother as they are two sides of a coin and I know that a person with no country is tantamount to a fish devoid of a water body. This reality works for all, I am sure, except for those whose mental set up had been spoiled by trivial propaganda out of Ethiopia’s historical enemies and those who are relentlessly working to fall the country apart taking it as an ultimate goal of theirs.
Equally, I believe that citizens in a given country can exhibit grievances and reservations whenever they are partially treated and offended by irrelevant approaches and a range of maladministration. Especially these days there are open doors to do so with exceptions, of course.
Yes, it is natural to express opposition and get armed to fight those whom the warring parties have thought of enemies and stand in a rivalry dimension. However, when it comes to a beloved motherland named country because it is irreplaceable, no compromise at all and no leeway is open to foes be they are internal or external ones.
Frankly speaking, I am pleased to see fellow citizens who are willing to pay sacrifice for the independence and prestige of the country and wholeheartedly believe in equality, fair treatment and just decision.
For those of who have taken the issue of a country as trivial issue, my ultimate message is ‘say always country first,’ because a country is an eternal home.
I hope such a sacred sentiment would help them understand the priceless significance of a country. Coming back to the idea of a friend of mine cited at the outset, he told me that those who were against their country and adding fuel to fire aiming at aggravating conflicts and turmoil in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, among others have come to the forefront to regret at the end of the day.
We all, peculiarly those who are running to dismantle Ethiopia have to draw important lessons from the countries remain in naming. On the contrary, many African countries have embarked on a journey to define democracy and federalism in a manner that can effectively address their main concerns, and make valuable contributions to the wealth of ideas on federalism. I am confident that many gorilla fighting bodies in Ethiopia have indeed gained valuable insights into the challenges and practices of many countries in the world which have been practicing unity in diversity.
Thanks to their patriotic gesture, many are seriously working for the unbent growth and development of Ethiopia singing the lyrics ‘country first’ and song of peace and love.
If great Ethiopia is well built and being competent to the developed countries of the world, what’s wrong would come to, among others, your being Amhara, her being Oromo, his being Wolayta, their being Sidama, our being Tigrayans, my being Gumuz?
Whenever Ethiopia is regarded as a great nation, every citizens of its is highly respected and taken prestigious. On the contrary, a person with no country, even with a weak and ineffective one, would be belittled or mocked lifelong.
I don’t think this hard fact and fundamental significance of a country is obscured from the minds of those fighting against the country, but either they are wrongly junked with hostility or excellently filled with falsehood narratives that potentially aggravate their grudge emanating from country-loathing spirit of its foes.
What T-TPLF in collaboration with its accomplices, even with Ethiopia’s historical enemies, is currently doing extending its legacy of what it has been doing for close to half a century to quench its masters’ interest is a case in point in this regard.
The good thing is Ethiopia is excellently safeguarded by its gallant sons and daughters. It might be tested, even being seriously tested, of course. It will not be defeated today and tomorrow, too as its name is always intertwined with victory and courageousness.
If truth be told, all Ethiopians residing at home and abroad are fond of paying sacrifice and prefer dying to seeing its being defeated, the forerunner for this is the defense force of course. This is the rationale behind its triumphant forever.
The preamble of the constitution clearly stipulated that all nations, nationalities and peoples of have equal rights and should be equally benefited from their country’s economic growth.
However, what has been observed especially over the last three to four years is contradicting with what is incorporated in the constitution.
It is high time for the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia to live in integration, friendship, harmony and collaboration as everyone is now singing ‘country first,’ melody.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald October 22/2022
