Ethiopia belongs to everyone regardless of differences

BY SOLOMON DIBABA

The word “Ethiopia” is from the Greek word Αἰθιοπία (IPA: /ˌaitʰioˈpia/) meaning sun light burned face. This name primarily refers to the people of Ethiopia and its landmass which continued to change over time in the nation’s history. Ethiopia is mentioned 37 times in the King James Version of the Bible and several times in the Quran as Abyssinia. Dinkinesh or Lucy a species of Australopithecus Afarensis, the remains of which lived in the country 3 million years back.

Ethiopia is a country of religion and science a favorite country for paleontologists. Ethiopia is currently home for more than 80 ethnic groups. No single ethic group in the country can claim to be the founder of the statehood of Ethiopia and the history of the nation as this false because Ethiopia was established and constituted by all ethnic groups in the country. This divisive view is not only a threat to the statehood of the country but is also a fascistic view of the country’s history. The reality is Ethiiopia managed to survive the “ Scramble for Arica” only because her people remained united.

In his Review of a book entilted “ The Survival of Ethiopian Independencee” written by the famous Ethiopist, Professor Sven Rubenson, K.V. Ram from the University of Lagos wrote:

“The survival of Ethiopia as an independent state the period of “ the Scramble for Africa” and colonial rule is a glorious chapter in African history. How and why Ethiopia alone of all African states who shared some of her strength and many weaknesses fighting European imperialsim has not yet been explained. It is possiblee to suggest a number of reasons for Ethiopia’s survival: Ethiopia’s geogrphical postion and the inherent strength and solidarity of her poltical and relgious institutions, national conciousness of her people… the determinattion of the Ethiopian people to preseerve their independence…” ( K.V. Ram 1976)

As repeatedly stressed, Ethiopia belongs to all the people of the country and claims and counter claims against this are no better than daylight lie and gossip. As Prime Minister Abiy has indicated in his response to the questions recently raised by the MPs, “for those who wish the disintegration of Ethiopia, the nation has already disintegrated in their minds” and they cannot under no circumstances speak of unity in diversity.

In terms of cosmic location, Ethiopia is an alienable part of planet earth and belongs to this planet. Ethiopia is African as it constitutes a strategic spot in the continent. It is historical and scientific that no ethnic group in the country can claim ownership of this country as it belongs to the whole people of Ethiopia even its indigenous and exotic flora and fauna. The history of every ethnic group in this country is part and parcel of the history of Ethiopia.

There should not be a ‘me and mine’ fantasy that defies the logical and dialectical configuration that all ethnic groups in this country set equal elements of the same ethno-demographic system. There is no special ethnic group with a special blood type in this country. Narrow nationalist mindset extremism has now developed into a distorted version of self-assertion and empty false consciousness that is based on hatred and biases.

No single ethnic group in Ethiopia can claim that it is the only oppressed and suppressed ethnic group in the country. All the previous leaders and political orders that prevailed over this country over the last 50 years have contributed to the agony and tribulation that citizens have to shoulder and there is no exception in this respect.

Ethnic territorial rights that is allowed in federal Ethiopia that is based on language does not in many provisions protect the rights of minorities in each regional state and ethnic conflicts, killings and displacements that occurred in this country are in violation of constitutional rights that are clearly indicated in articles 15-17 and article 32 of the FDRE Constitution. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that was issues by UNGA IN 1966 provides the following rights that are also included in the Ethiopian Constitution.

Article 6.1. Every human being has the inherent right to life and that right shall be protected by law.

Article 9.1. Everyone has the right to library and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.

Articles 12.1 everyone lawfully within the territory of a state shall within that territory have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence.

How many people are displaced due to the war in northern Ethiopia? How many Ethiopians we massacred through ethnic based killings? Even today, there is preparation for another wave of unrest and killings as if what the nation has undergone over the last two years has not been enough? I will let my readers ponder on this.

As members of the international community of people, Ethiopians and their governments are under international legal obligation to enforce the rule of law and harmony at this point in time of untold turbulence in the socio-economic and political situations across the world.

 Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald

The Ethiopian Herald April 9/2023

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