Last week’s coup attempt in Bahr Dar can be taken as one of the unprecedented levels of political stunts in Ethiopia. Despite the shock it created in the city, its residents have resumed life as usual on its morrow, as witnessed by some residents.

“Following the failed coup attempt last Saturday, peaceful life of the residents has been restored,” says Asres Meare, Public Prosecutor at Office of Attorney General in Amhara National Regional State.

The stability of the people has contributed for the futility of the coup, which would otherwise have led to worse havoc, vagrancy and strife.Apart from the joint effort of the federal and state governments, societies’ ample cultural values help to calm down the turmoil and put life to the clock back, he emphasized.

Although all human beings are mortal by their nature, murdering leaders in such brutal incident is heartbreaking and shocking. Incredibly, each religious leaders, youths, elders, women and all parts of the society prefer to calm down and restore the city’s peace. By the same token civic society associations have also played a pivotal role in resuming peaceful life in the city.

Moreover, residents of the city are still on the path of the reform. They realized that the reform is coming up with many advantages for the city and the region as well. Therefore, they are dedicated to sustain peaceful and calm life across the region as well as the country, Asres noted.

Sisay Assemrie, Assistant Professor of Political Philosophy at University of Gondar on his part said that Ethiopia is not a country which is only governed by written law. Yet it is also governed by its strong and ample customs, norms and cultures. This is one of the main reasons which helps them to resume their life even after the next day of the coup attempt.

Equally important is that religious fathers, elders and Aba Gadas have a pivotal role in promoting cultural values and norms of the society. Also they are responsible to continuing and strengthening this culture ahead, he noted. As to him many citizens of Ethiopia are sensitive to social values and cultural assets than politics. So it is simple for the society to refuse such acts.

Sisay also want to remember what did the fallen Generals’ and higher state officials’ family have said on the farewell ceremony. “Ethiopia will never crumble though it has lost its heroes. If we stand together, we can overcome hurdles and build prosperous Ethiopia,” said General Seare Mekonnen’s son on his speech at the ceremony. According to Sisay the above thought can also illustrate Ethiopian’s strong culture of heroism, self-confidence and value to stand for the development of their country.

Nega Abera, lecturer at sociology department of University of Jimma told The Ethiopian Herald that the strong norm, value and culture of the society is the main reason for continuation of life as usual after the coup attempt in the country. Ethiopia is a land of diversified people. The society has a long ingrained value of self-governance and conflict resolution mechanisms.

As to him, Ethiopian society can solve each of political, economic and social problem together and cooperatively. What is happening right now in the country can be the major indicator for the above reality. Their norm and culture have enabled them to wisely observe the problem and solve it easily.

He reiterated that Ethiopians should further keep their culture, value and norms for the future which the hero ancestors have kept it for centuries. Perhaps it is better to modernize it rather than damaging, denying or replacing with foreign culture. Western civilization is not also developed based on denying their culture. It is rather founded and developed by modernizing it.

Ashagre Haile, a young volunteer who conducts road traffic in Bahir Dar city on his part says that all Ethiopians especially youth should stand by the side of the government for building safe and better country. He also asserted that such shameful act of barbarians never represent Ethiopian culture, norm and value.

In essence, currently societies across the country are regulating their social life as usual. The reason behind is that the failed coup attempt has no acceptance among the society. It directly opposes and harms our culture. As to him every individual should get ready to safe guard the country from such barbaric acts.

All in all scholars, government officials and residents agreed that the societies’ strong and ample culture make the country to be calm down and earning life as usual at the time of political upheavals. Hence the government should publicize the truth and exact information about this brutal act so as to keep the country’s peace and safeguard the society from propagandas.

The Ethiopian Herald, June 29/2019

BY HIZKEL HAILU