The majority of Ethiopians want their democratic and human rights to be addressed on equal and equity based arrangements in united Ethiopia. However, some think that they are the custodians of history, culture and heritage of this country undermining the heroic feats, sacrifices and contributions they have made in ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
Rightwing ultra-nationalists think that they are the nation while others are subservient subjects. Others believe in what they call pure blood. Both trends and ideologies are not only eclectic but also paranoid and dangerous for the security and safety of Ethiopia and the entire Horn of Africa.
Historical facts indicate that the term Ethiopia as it was coined by the Greeks who did not refer only to the current territory and people of Ethiopia but to all burned faced people in Sub-Sahara Africa. People of the Arab world refer to Ethiopians as Habesha. There are some people in Ethiopia who prefer to be identified as Cushitic. Ethiopia is not a subjective creation of the mind but a historical and objective reality on the ground.
As one political commentator noted, the rest of the world knows much about Ethiopia than the present Ethiopians themselves. Ethiopia defeated the apex power of colonialism and heralded the spirit of freedom and liberation among the people of Africa across the world and in the Caribbean. No single ethnic group can claim to be the source of Ethiopia because Ethiopia is African and belongs to Africa equally. It fought for African liberation and for pan Africanism as well.
The country deserves honor first from all Ethiopians and then from across the world. Yet, again Ethiopians fail to have a clear view of their own glorious history well known to foreign historians and Ethiopists.
This implies that every Ethiopian in any walk of life or social status needs to recognize and accept the honor and respect that the international community has accorded and will continue to accord to this country. Any level of destructive war or emotional upheaval devoid of rational thinking benefits nobody but foreign adversaries of the country who wish to see Ethiopia in turmoil.
Both civic and ethnic nationalism should be perceived only in the context of a democratic unity of this country which is of crucial importance for the statehood of the nation and unity and equitable development for Africa.
The current ethnic based armed insurgencies and destructions in several regions of the country clearly indicates the complex political and ideological ramifications among almost all who wish to siphon democracy and political rights through their guns. Hundreds and thousands have perished in the two year war that has ended.
The current local politics in Ethiopia is sadly mired with immoral and rude social media propaganda in which even the religious groups in the country are trying to get their niche in the political turmoil, ever growing hatred, call for civil war as a means of settling disputes. No other lesson can teach Ethiopians of the need for unity at least for survival than the situation in Sudan and Libya. Unless Ethiopians respect the rule of law and order, a total irreversible national disaster could take the stage.
In terms of political ideology and systemic strategy, none off the gun tottering armed groups currently operating in the country have come up with a clear agenda for negotiations because they think that the gun solves everything in 21st century indicating the beginning of their end. Some are even languishing here and there to find some sort of manifesto or political program amidst the competitions among rival groups in the same ethnic configuration.
Some are already appealing the long dead remnants of the aristocratic families in terms of seeking recognition and legitimacy on ethnic grounds. What further complicates any level of negotiation with the government is the fact that the various armed groups in the country have several factions among their rank and file who joined these groups for different and contradictory reasons.
Current political trajectory among opposition and warring groups in Ethiopia suffers from lack of specific direction, alliance of forces and future strategy, meaningful ideological framework and future strategy for statehood. These groups have fallen prey to the political mumbo jumbo of social media so called activists and influences who wish to see chaotic Ethiopia unless they are in charge of ruling the country.
Gurus of ethnic politics among Ethiopians abroad think that they are at the steering wheel of Ethiopia’s national politics and try to come up with some weird suggestions totally detached from the reality on the ground. They undermine the role of the Ethiopian population and pose as if they represent them.
On the other hand, weak links in the current Ethiopian political order and mistakes that are committed over time have become a casus belli for the proliferation of the propaganda war not only against the government but the country as well.
As repeatedly stressed, the predicaments of this country can never be resolved by war or any form of liberation doctrine that is homemade or imported Dialogue in a win-win approach is the only solution.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2023
