Today’s witness column guest is Puol Yoa Luol. He came to Ethiopia in 2013 on the wake of the war which broke out all over South Sudan and claimed the lives of numerous people. As ill luck would have it, the country which was expected to make a turn for the better kept on falling from the frying pan into the fire. Nobody had imagined the country would get itself involved in civil war for quite a lot of years at that specific point.
Puol Yoa Luol has been showered with unconditional love, respect and hospitality of the people of the Ethiopia and thus despite some challenges his face lights up with happiness now and then. Most of all, he believes in taking the bull by the horns no matter what happens as he does not know what the future holds in store for him. As a matter of fact, according to Soren Kierkegaard, life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
At this moment in time, with his four brothers and two sisters he lives contentedly under the same roof with his family members around the vicinity of Goro. Hence, he feels as if a huge weight is off his body.
At the time that the war in South Sudan erupted, Puol Yoa Luol did not have anyone that he could call his own. He did not know what he had to do and where he had to flee with his family members. He was failing to mask his fury.
In due course, he made up his mind to go to Ethiopia. Since then his family members and he live in Ethiopia safe and sound. He gives preeminence to peace.
When I posed question to have his take on Ethiopia, he said, “Though I am not on familiar terms with the fundamentals of Ethiopian history, let me say a little about the country. Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind with its distinct letters of alphabet. Moreover, I am familiar with the fact that the story of coffee has its beginnings in Ethiopia. I know Ethiopia exports coffee. What surprises me most is everybody in most parts of Addis Ababa drinks coffee. I really love the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. By the same token, the country is known as the water tower of Africa seeing that the presence of rivers in the left, right and center of the country.
He continued, “The weather condition is really suitable for everyone with attention grabbing tourist attractions found in most part of the country. Apart from that, the country possesses most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Above and beyond, Ethiopia is a safe haven for refuges coming from various countries wanting place of safety. Ethiopians are sociable and sympathetic without exaggeration. Ethiopia means a lot to me. It is like a mother caring for her baby.
He stated that Ethiopia has been getting itself involved in rescue efforts of South Sudan which was out of the frying pan into the fire for the most part in pulling out all the stops with the intention of stamping peace and stability in the length and breadth of the country as much as possible. The contribution of the government of Ethiopia to make a peace deal and restore peace across South Sudan is immense. It is beyond description.
He further stated that the government of Ethiopia has been pulling out all the stops targeting at making South Sudan a land of peace since the time our country broke away from Sudan. As the two parts of old Sudan were exchanging fire for many years, quite a lot of lives had been claimed. As time passed by South Sudan turned out to be a self-governing state.
He continued, “From the very beginning, the government of Ethiopia has been by the side of the people of South Sudan again and again. Honestly speaking, a lot of efforts have been made with the intention of making a peace deal between rebel leader Riek Machar and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir. They have met quite a lot of times in the capital, Addis Ababa for a peace deal. Large efforts have been made.”
He went on to say, “Ethiopia has been a safe haven for refugees. The later ones have been treated like a king devoid of preferential treatment. In the eyes of Ethiopians, everyone is like peas in a pod seeing that everyone is treated without favoritism. Everybody feels at home in Ethiopia.
As far as I know the Ethiopian Calendar consists of thirteen months of sunshine and seven years behind the Georgian calendar. In the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, The African Union, UN Economic Commission for African and other organizations are housed.”
He added, “The country has a wide spectrum of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. Quite a lot of languages are spoken all over the country like Oromigna, Amharic, Tigriagna and the rest. Ethiopia is the second densely inhabited country in the continent of Africa and the home of a wide-spectrum of Nations and Nationalities with spectacular cultures, traditions and norms.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday June 9, 2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
