BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Nations Nationalities Peoples’ Day which is celebrated every year on December 8th(Hidar 29) is a sign of unity and togetherness among Ethiopians. Due to the constitutional guarantee, the day has a special place for all Ethiopians-from minority to majority. However, this does not mean that the day was equally appreciated by all Ethiopians and the constitutional rights were respected.
For known or unknown reasons, the day was marked for several years to fulfill the political desire of individuals in power or those groups who need to satisfy their power greed under the pretext of diversity by neglecting all constitutional right of the people.
The motto “Unity in Diversity” had been exercised wrongly and the day (Hidar 29) was marked consequently as agenda diversion mechanism. In its true sense, the meaning of unity in diversity was not practiced fully among the majority. The worst, it was used to propagate differences instead of togetherness and; common values that bind Ethiopians together.
As some scholars put it, unity is not about oneness; rather it is preserving ones’ uniqueness and accepting the cultural aspects of others` and enjoying the fruits of diversity.
In an exclusive interview with the EPA, politician Andargachew Tsige said that Ethiopian diversity should not be used as a weapon to jeopardize our unity; instead, it should be used as the source of our greatness. According to him, Ethiopianism is a notion that brings us together into a center to defeat our enemies. For this very reason, Ethiopian sentiment we displayed in various battlefields should also be repeated in other areas to defeat our historic enemy-hunger and to bring about sustaining peace.
Andargachew emphasized that unity is not uniformity in everything. Being Ethiopian is not having a similar religion or language. An attempt to bring similarity under the banner of unity had never been achieved in Ethiopia. It is unity in diversity that saved the nation and sustained the existing Ethiopia. Using our diversity as a fuel, we should capitalize on what we have in hand on other economic sectors as well.
Obviously, Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Day has a special place in Ethiopia for various reasons. Since the day has contributed a lot in creating one political and economic community, it has become an engine to boost tolerance, tourism and investment in the host regions. The Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day affirms the necessity of respect for the fundamental rights of individuals and of the nations and nationalities of the country, as well as the development of the country’s various cultures and religions.
As it is indicated by UNESCO, the day provides a vital and important demonstration of the strong commitment and respect of the Federal Government and of its peoples for all the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia, and of their individual cultures, territories and modes of life. It also underlines the fact that Ethiopia has been and still is the common home for all. The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ensures the human and democratic rights of all the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia without exception, and it has granted equality and mutual cooperation to them all.
Indeed, having proper balance between unity and diversity are the assets of Ethiopia. As a land of multiculturalism and sustained by tolerance, our diversity should be utilized as a tool to bring about economic transformation and sustainable peace. The recent political climate that prevails in Ethiopia is witnessing the real meaning of unity in diversity that values prosperity. As a land of diverse culture and a country where several ethnic groups live in harmony, respecting others’ interest is the foundation for unified Ethiopia and a seal that testifies its renaissance.
In this regard, the coming Hidar 29 will be marked colorfully by ensuring equality, diversity and unity; of course in a manner taking lesson from previous years flaws.
Ethiopia is among those African countries with a large number of ethnic diversity and language differences. This diversity has been the source of their unity rather than differences for centuries.
Instead of being source of conflict, it has been an element that brings people with diverse cultural identity into a single podium and glue that attaches them to coexist peacefully, to share their cultural experiences. However, this does not mean that there were no times when cultural differences were not used as a tool to stir unity. Due to the harmonious relation of the mass and century old culture of tolerance among Ethiopians, all differences were alleviated peacefully, and the nation has sustained till this day.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 4 DECEMBER 2022
