BY LEULSEGED WORKU
There is nothing that can express the value of peace. If there is anything that explains peace, it is only “Peace” itself. There is no reward one can pay for peace. This is especially true at the country level where absence of peace and stability affects the life of hundreds and thousands of people.
Obviously, because of war, several lives will be lost, hundreds and thousands displaced and infrastructures that cost fortunes will be damaged. This is witnessed within the past two years where the federal government and the TPLF forces faced conventional warfare and thousands of people have become homeless and many have lost their priceless lives.
However, after a number of unsuccessful attempts by the government for peace, now they have agreed to settle their differences in a peaceful manner and sustain peace.
This good news has created special excitement and almost received appreciations almost from every peace loving people, particularly, from those people who have become the direct victims of the conflict.
The agreement, as many people uttered, has opened a new chapter not only for Ethiopia; but also for Africa as it clearly demonstrates Africans’ potential to resolve their own affairs by their own.
As Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated last Monday November 15, 2022 at the 2nd year 4th Ordinary Session of the House of Peoples Representatives while responding to queries raised by MPs in relation to the peace agreement signed between the government and TPLF, the agreement has a significant role to end up the conflict and sustain peace.
The Premier said that Ethiopia should end the war to sustain lasting peace and sustain its vision for prosperity. In this regard, all kinds of peace talks and negotiations aim at protecting the unity of Ethiopia and defending its territorial integrity.
According to him, Ethiopia will go miles to achieve lasting peace. “For this reason, we will go to places, anywhere, even to places we do not want to go for no particular reason but to sustain peace and to defend the interest of the country.
The premier further expressed government’s commitment to solve all kinds of conflicts in a peaceful manner stating the repeated attempts that the government had made even before the commencement of the war.
“As you remember it, from the very beginning, we were asserting that we do not want to hear gunshots. We were also saying that the people of Tigray too should not hear the sound of gunfire. To this end, we sent elderly people to Mekelle for reconciliation,” he noted.
The Ethiopian government has taken one step forward by discussing and signing peace agreements; what is required now is to ensure lasting peace by implementing the agreements. “We must work for this.” The Premier underscored the need to diligently work for peace; and support the process so as to actualize the agreement.
Following the peace agreement, as local media reported, several federal government officials and others are reflecting their view about the role and commitment expected from them towards bringing sustainable peace.
In a discussion held recently focusing on peace issues and the preparation made by the government to bring sustainable peace, participants indicated that the preparation of the government towards the peace deal and its commitment to resolving differences in a peaceful manner have contributed a lot to arrive at peace deal.
During the discussion, the issue of sovereignty, unity and sustainable peace are given due attention by the Federal Government officials. It is also said that the agreement has incalculable benefits in terms of ending up the war and maintaining peace in a sustainable manner. It also gives relief to every Ethiopian in general sustainable and the people of Afar, Amhara and Tigray in particular who have been the direct victims of the war. In this regard, the agreement has created some type of reassurance to all Ethiopians and Ethiopia has won the war.
What is more, the peace deal has its own implications. It has confirmed Ethiopia`s maxim: “African Solutions to African Problems,” and it is part of Ethiopia’s stand towards Pan-Africanism spirit. Furthermore, it is a matter that opens a new political culture and historic chapter in Ethiopia that values peace more than conflict and war. In this regard, it can be taken as a new landmark in Ethiopia`s political culture that ensure legalism and constitutionalize.
According to the participants, despite all the efforts to implement the peace deal effectively and sustain peace, it does not mean that there are no groups who are still agents of conflict at the expense of peace. In this respect, all peace loving Ethiopians are expected to contribute their part in areas of peace and stability.
All the successes that are achieved in areas of diplomacy and peace agreement must be repeated in the political and developmental spheres as well. In this regard, all government officials are duty-bound in discharging their responsibilities accordingly. They have to join hands and work committedly for better performance in other sectors.
During the discussion, participants have extended their gratitude for the Defense Forces who paid multitudinous sacrifice, for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his leadership role and those individuals who participated in the peace agreement.
Participants have also said, revenge, hatred and all destructive ways have cost the nation a lot. Its history also confirmed this fact. For this reason, by healing all odds that had happened in earlier times we should march towards Ethiopia’s development and prosperity. That is why the peace deal and its processes need a due consideration by all parties. And supporting the peace process and striving hard to make the deal a success is everyone’s responsibility.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2022
