The phrase ‘Ethiopia is at crossroads’ has been heard many time in the past referring to certain crucial moments in its history. We have heard it during various epochs of the recent history of the country when the people felt that something pivotal was about to happen. This kind of assertion was also heard from among the academics, intellectuals or people who are considered as knowledgeable and keen observers of the country. They make these remarks based on what sort of developments were about to take place in the society and the establishment as a whole. These observers refer to past stories developing and events actually taking place including possible regime changes or other critical events that may determine the fate of the country.
For instance, similar observations were made when the monarchy was living its final days due to widespread protests against the way things were being handled. In the pivotal year of 1974, there were conditions in which the country was at crossroads. Unprecedented developments took place. The military began to complain loudly by voicing their woes to the monarchy. Civil servants, the business community, teachers and other society sectors voiced their opposition against the worsening economic situation of the country. The opposition was also supported by the students’ movement. Therefore, it was clear that the country was at crucial crossroads.
With the deposition of the monarchy and the military takeover, the country seemed to head to a more stable situation. But soon, even the military government was to face opposition from various fronts including those who craved for the right to self-determination of certain communities. Then, it was again clear that the country was at crossroads.
Ethiopia never had any scarcity of enemies given its crucial geopolitical situation and Ethiopians were constantly reminded of this case by having to mobilize to deter any aggression from outside. Again, there was the feeling that the country was at crossroads with the future not very clear or bright.
With the increasing assault of certain forces that struggled for cessation of the military government, it was difficult to predict that the future would be bright because peace and stability was dwindling and people had begun to worry. The policies and records of the military government did not convince Ethiopians in general. Many observers began to raise the issue of the country being at crossroads again.
Some people even began to support the guerrilla fighters so that the military regime is done with. People wanted peace and harmony among communities ridding of the military government. Then, another new chapter was written with the deposition of the Derg and the takeover of power by the EPRDF coalition.
It seemed that the series of wars and military campaigns were destined to end and people would never hear the sound of guns again. The new regime presented itself as a kind of ‘savior’ of the country. However, after a few years, once again a new cycle of discontent erupted. The policies of the government were accused of discrimination among nationalities and that power was systematically abused by the new.
The resistance movement was continued for years before the EPRDF government was deposed by a wing in itself that formed a kind of ‘reformist party’. EPRDF was made to vanish and a new party called Prosperity Party was founded by the new leaders such as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The new government promised that no ethnic group or nationality or indeed political force would feel discriminated or sidelined from the central authority. Each will have their say in the affairs that concern them and opposition forces that were stationed abroad were invited to return home and take part in a peaceful political discourse.
With certain forces still raising the perennial issue of the lack of participation in the country’s government, there seemed to be a sense of discontent that has persevered along the years despite the measures of the reformist government taken to change things so that the old injustices would be redressed.
It was also in reaction to these presuppositions that the so called National Dialogue Commission was founded and every entity would be given the chance to air its voice in the deliberations. During the past few years since the formation of this Commission, there have been made significant progresses towards identifying the major issues that divide the country, the possible solutions that people envisage, and how to go about reforming the country along fair and equitable lines in terms of sharing power and the resources.
Persistent issues are to be well-identified according to what people actually feel and well-deliberated solutions are to be prospected by this National Dialogue Commission that is meant to embrace every segment of society including those who have resorted to armed struggle. This move of the Commission is crucial because no one force or group would be excluded from the deliberations. The role of the media here becomes fundamental because it needs to responsibly cover what is being done in the country regarding the activities of the Commission.
Undoubtedly, the media is a very powerful force in society considered by many as the fourth branch of a government. Indeed, in the current situation, its responsibilities have doubled because the emergence of social media has complicated and tried to diminish its role. To avoid the risk of being eclipsed by the social media that are very popular, direct and immediate, the conventional media needs to present itself in a responsible and professional manner raising its profile higher than any of the social media outlets that try to outshine it or even push it out of business. That is why the media needs to be professional, reliable and trustworthy and not be economically motivated to take the wrong side. It needs to show people that it always keeps the major interests of the country above every other force or interest.
The Ethiopian media needs to support the efforts of the Commission in its attempts to gather as much input as possible without any bias from the participants because the success of the efforts of the Commission will contribute to building a society and a nation that are based on a certain consensus. The views of every group would be guaranteed representation and consideration, and no one would feel excluded from their fair share of the national pie.
In a country such as Ethiopia, where there are tens of ethnic groups and languages, the way power is shared has always presented a challenge, also because there are external forces in the country who try to drag the nation into turmoil and fish in troubled waters. They try to abort its development into a powerful force in East Africa and the continent as a whole. For such sabotage, there are multiple agents and forces, particularly in social media, trying to sow discord among Ethiopians. That is where the media should flex its muscles and show its resistance.
One of the main duties of the media is, hence to expose these destructive forces and convince people that they are enemies of the people who are busy peddling unfounded narratives and venomous assertions among communities. The media should give due emphasis to these developments, actively support the efforts of the National Dialogue Commission in reporting on each and every development, and keep the public well-informed so that they have trust and confidence in what the Commission is doing.
Ethiopia cannot afford to squander this opportunity once again as it has done in various other chapters of its history. Opportunities do not always recur easily because things continue to evolve. The country’s position vis-à-vis outside forces is also bound to change. We need to seize the moment and take full advantage of similar developments so that the country addresses its crucial issues and go ahead one step to the right direction.
Attaining full peace and permanent stability would facilitate the growth of the country. For all this, the role of the media cannot be underestimated. It is a key force capable of swaying things in any direction. It can be constructive but also destructive. The efforts and positive contribution of the media are precious and irreplaceable. We should all realize and acknowledge the importance of this fact and support the media because we cannot afford to fail in this endeavor.
The development trajectory of the country cannot continue if we fail to settle this issue of national consensus through the efforts of the National Dialogue Commission. And the Commission’s efforts need to be well covered and promoted by the media so that people are well aware of what the implications are and not sabotaged by the enemies of the country.
BY FITSUM GETACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 19 MAY 2024
