BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
These days, ensuring peace and security has become more important than ever before; and the most sought element for the reason peace is the basis of everything. Owing to its incalculable benefits, therefore preventing conflicts is getting more attention to ensure durable peace.
Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) appearing at the 11th Regular Session of the House of Peoples Representatives, underlined his government’s commitment to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner and ensure peace.
The Premier also replied to a range of queries raised by members of the parliament including the latest developments in the country’s social, economic and political arenas, just to mention, efforts exerted to resolve differences in more peaceful manner and to bring about durable peace in various parts of the country, the responsibility of media, the overall economic performance amidst the possible consequences of internal and global challenges such as conflict, drought, the pandemic of COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine war and the like.
Prime Minister Abiy said that the incumbent strongly believes that peace is the center of everything. And the government is working unwaveringly to resolve differences peacefully and realize sustainable, durable peace across the country. However, according to the PM, the day the war concludes, complete peace will not prevail at once.
Because, post-war traumatic incidents make themselves visible and the post-war situations could not be healed immediately, maintaining peace after war will not be a thing that can be achieved overnight “Peace requires bravery just like war. Peace cannot be realized without efforts and positive peace cannot be attained with force. Since saving the life of one person is also about peace, we have to work in line with this motive,” he remarked.
Peace is relative. Ethiopia is now enjoying peace in much more favorable fashion than it was six months back. The end of the war in the northern part of the country is one big step to the improvement of peace in Ethiopia, he stated, adding that more efforts are needed to ensure complete peace in the country and that requires strong commitment and collaboration from the government and the people of Ethiopia.
He also called on members of the House of Peoples Representatives to work in harmony to ensure durable peace in various parts of Ethiopia with the mindset of forgiveness for the common good of all.
Noting the destructive activities of some actors who are working untiringly targeting to challenge the peace efforts, he said that there are people who deliberately instigate conflict and instill instability in the minds of the people by fabrication.
What makes the case more saddening is that some media houses are giving coverage to such useless acts through framing wrongly; and are engaged in sowing hostility and conflict among the communities, religious groups which is unprofessional. “Media freedom comes with professional responsibilities,” he underscored.
As to the PM, audiences should be critical and selective while consuming information; he also urged the referred media outlets to reflect on their actions, and urged viewers to be critical in their viewership.”
Mentioning the number of initiatives that are on progress to bring about durable peace, in various parts of Ethiopia, the Premier said that the discussion among warning groups is bearing considerable outcome to keep on addressing the rifts and undo difference through dialogue and discussions, he confirmed.
According to him, the Executive Committee of the Prosperity Party (PP) has set up a committee led by its vice-president that will oversee the peaceful talks with Shene. “In the last two months, discussions have been attempted with Shene over 10 times,” the Premier said adding what made it difficult however is that the group is a dispersed force, where different segments of the forces come up with different stand and position.
Peace requires everyone to stand at the vanguard and pursue it. While peace is relative, there are many initiatives that are in progress to bring about durable peace, he said referring to the discussions and some activities that are still underway with Gambella, Beni Shangul Gumez, and Qimant, Agew Shengo.
“We will work hard to resolve the issue through a peaceful dialogue. We need to think about sustaining these efforts even with shortcomings; as the alternative is a path not useful for Ethiopians.”
While elaborating enquiries raised by parliamentarians in relation to citizens’ right to freedom of movement Abiy said: “We have not undertaken any actions that are not grounded in intelligence works. The actions taken by the government are to ensure the peace and security of citizens.” “We need to make sure that the right to freedom of movement is respected for the benefit of all; and not to provoke violence”, PM. Abiy has stated.
The government is highly committed to bring a peaceful resolution on the issue of security in Ethiopia; Abiy said adding that the country’s security sector is also on guard to ensure no further bloodshed occurs while pursuing the path of dialogue.
The Prime Minister said peace is now prevailing in many parts of the country due to the measures taken by the government including the peace agreement reached to end the conflict in northern parts of the country, he reiterated.
The Ethiopian Herald march 30/2023
