No wonder peace is an essential asset to cement a harmonious relationship, to live together in a friendly and peaceful way and to ensure growth and development. Peace is the spice of life; it is the flavor of unity and serves as the bedrock to create a socially cohesive society, promote stability and development. Having peaceful relationships between and among individuals and communities help to establish trust, create a sense of belongingness, foster cooperation and bring about constructive social, economic and political outcomes that lead to sustainable development.
In Ethiopia, peace has long been faced with significant challenges for a number of pushing factors, one of the reasons is the discord created in the political and social areas and the undeveloped culture of resolving differences through dialogue.
In his recent response to the queries raised by members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives at the 14th regular session, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) stated the peace and security challenges and the efforts carried out so far to resolve differences through peaceful dialogue, around the table.
Prime Minister Abiy said that peace is a valuable asset that is achieved at a high price. However, in Ethiopia over the past fifty years, the trend of using firepower and engaging in destructive acts instead of peaceful dialogue as a means to achieve political intents has created obstacles to nurture a better democratic system and sustain peace.
As to him, one of the major problems is that politicians prefer violence to attain their interest instead of fighting with ideas and pursuing peaceful approaches and the peace challenges caused by armed groups drive from personal interests rather than national interest. These destructive elements have been plotting and spreading hatred and conflict undermining peace in the country. The good thing is that, these days, in Ethiopia’s context attaining political power through the barrel of a gun is impossible.
This inclination has affected the country’s effort to hold peaceful negotiation and to realize peace. Moreover, it has disrupted the peace process and the expected outcomes to ensure peace. What is more, the rejection of peaceful options by armed groups in Ethiopia has been causing conflict and displacements.
“If we ask concerning the wins gained through killing each other, the answer is ‘naught’. There is no benefit from war; but from peace. Bearing this in mind is always important. Problems can be resolved only through peaceful dialogue,” he underlined.
The Premier also addressed exhaustively concerns associated with border claims from the Amhara and Tigray sides, constitutional amendment inquiry from Amhara, Oromia and Somali states and the ineffective peace dialogues held with Shene. “The government has been taking a number of steps to ensure sustainable peace in Ethiopia”, he underlined.
With respect to the negotiation carried out with Shene in Tanzania, he said: “peace process was held with Shene in Tanzania; however, for the reason that the outcomes of the dialogues were not worthy enough in yielding the intended result and bring about lasting peace, we could not to disclose it to the public.”
According to him, the terrorist Shene has been causing significant harm to the Oromo people, whom the group claims are fighting for them. The group is engaging in harming, killing and detaining its own people that it is saying “struggling for them.”
The government is always ready to engage in peaceful negotiations with all actors who are willing to put down their weapons and participate in peaceful political engagements. “We are committed to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusive processes to achieve lasting peace and stability.”
He also stressed the need for exercising democratic principles and putting in place appropriate institutions to consolidate the supremacy of ideas and peaceful transition in the country, mentioning the establishment of the National Dialogue Commission to resolve differences and grievances peacefully; and has become operational to bring national consensus in the country. “The government remains committed to solve all differences in a peaceful manner,” he reaffirmed.
“Entering into conflict does not benefit us; but costs us a lot. Rather, we benefit from peace hugely. The conflicts we had experienced consumed our human lives and resources. Thus by giving due attention for peace negotiation and engaging in peaceful dialogue; we should work to restore peace.”
While talking about The Pretoria Agreement or the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) signed between TPLF and the government, the Premier said the agreement has changed a lot. It has helped to curb the conflict and to restore a number of basic services like telecom, road and air transportations, finance institutions, as well as the resumption of higher education institutions among others.
This has happened by working with the interim administration of the Tigray State. “We should commend the efforts. Though there is more work to be carried out and there are still gaps in translating the accord to the ground, we will keep on working to solve challenges.
Responding to the conflict in Amhara State the Premier said: “I had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with residents of all zones in Amhara State except Kemise Town. The queries of the people are three matters – questions of infrastructure development, border claims as well as constitutional amendment.”
The government has gone a mile to respond to infrastructure development inquiries in the Amhara State. For example, works are ongoing to construct roads and enhance connectivity within the State. Merely in the past five years, the construction of over 3,200 kilometer roads have been well underway, of which, the construction of over 1000 kilometers were completed and became functional. By devising 53 road projects, activities are ongoing. Through the Gorgora project, work has been done to stimulate the State’s tourism potential. Other questions will be answered through the National Consultative Commission, he remarked.
“All the road construction is steered in line with set high quality standards because we need the coming generation to benefit more. The efforts confirm how far the government is committed to address the inquiry of the people, though this is not enough,” he said.
Aside from this, the government is striving to transform the tourism sector in the State; he said referring to the Gorgora project, which is under construction in high quality standard and the renovation effort of the Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches.
“It should be well noted that we are also interested in renovating the Castle of Fasil though the effort failed because of a number of reasons,” he added.
The government is working to ensure sustainable peace, because peace is the foundation of sustainable development and growth. “Thus, we call on all bodies to come to peaceful dialogue to undo the differences. The government will further strengthen efforts in restoring peace, rule of law and reaffirm readiness to undo any political differences through dialogue.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPI0AN HERALD THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2024
