Ethiopia: A Phoenix Rising - From Conflict to Harmony and Prosperity

In the heart of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia stands tall, a beacon of resilience and a symbol of hope. This ancient land, shaped by relentless conflict, now stands on the brink of a transformative resurgence. Its landscape, scarred by the remnants of past struggles, tells a tale of turmoil and disparity. Yet, amidst the discord’s clamor, a symphony of optimism echoes, heralding the dawn of an era filled with prosperity and harmony.

The spirit of Ethiopia, steeped in inherent dignity, has braved the storms of disunity. A shroud of indifference once cast its shadow over its people, pushing many into the corners of isolation. However, the digital age’s advent has sparked a cultural renaissance. Within this virtual cosmos, narratives interweave, creating a consciousness tapestry that reaches even the most remote hamlets. This awakening signals a destiny resurgence, where the youth, armed with the sword of truth, march towards a horizon brimming with potential, casting off the chains of resentment and division to knit a tapestry of unity and brotherhood.

The nation’s struggle with fragmentation mirrors a deep-rooted ailment that has long plagued its people. Throughout history, its leaders—whether nobles or tyrants—have navigated treacherous waters, often abandoning those they vowed to protect. They have snuffed out the flame of liberty, opting instead to grasp power with an iron fist, a voracious hunger for dominance largely overlooked by the global community.

This sorrowful cycle lingered for far too long, casting a gloom over the land until a ray of hope recently pierced the darkness. With Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power, Ethiopia seemed set on a virtuous path. Yet, instead of fostering unity, animosity flared, stoking further divisions. Communities clashed, each vying for supremacy or the mantle of sovereignty—a quest for influence that, paradoxically, sowed discord rather than nurturing the much-needed solidarity. Amidst ethnic fighting, the government and powerful armed groups embarked on a bloody path, leading to the tragic loss of too many lives.

Amid these fiery disputes, the vision for a peaceful and inclusive Ethiopia remains steadfast—a vision of a realm where every region and individual flourishes in unity, amplifying the nation’s collective strength and prosperity. The path ahead is daunting, but the commitment to peace and unity is unwavering.

My father, a paragon of resilience, left this earthly realm, his eyes never beholding the budding tranquility now unfolding across the Somali Region’s panorama. Despite the northern conflicts that claimed countless lives and threatened our esteemed nation’s very fabric, his legacy endures—a canvas marked with the ravages of battle and the legacy of twenty-seven bullets. These marks stand as a lasting tribute to his relentless pursuit of justice and liberation. With but a smattering of formal education, he confronted tyranny with unwavering resolve, eternally faithful to his Ogaden roots, never surrendering to the enemies intent on erasing his identity. His defiance met with imprisonment within Somalia’s borders, resonates with his lineage’s dreams. As his offspring, I transition from cynicism to hope, envisioning an Ethiopia blossoming with diversity, peace, and economic vitality at the forefront of fostering regional harmony. For the multitude, particularly in the Somali Region, it is unthinkable that an Ogaden descendant, whose kin endured relentless oppression, carnage, arbitrary detention, displacement, and ostracism, would now champion peace and inclusivity in a domain scarcely considered their own by his ancestors. Journeying across the nation, I encountered a reality exceeding my expectations—people of surpassing kindness, not the alienation I had anticipated, and my kin perceived as hospitable, transforming my ideology. We are a populace not fragmented by an enigmatic malaise but capable of mutual coexistence, elevating our illustrious nation towards a dream that is now within the realm of possibility.

The annals of Ethiopian history are riddled with conflicts, yet a shared longing persists—a desire for recognition and inclusion. The time has come to discard the past and navigate toward a society that values all its constituents. We dream of a governance that serves all, not merely the transient custodians of power. We must reshape the narrative, empowering our leaders to foster a radiant future where education is a fundamental right, justice is impartial, and a grand vision unites us all.

Recent years have been tarnished by turmoil, with the specter of war claiming the lives of those who yearn for tranquility. This grim tide is propelled by the ambitions of a select few who exploit the vulnerable in their pursuit of dominance, a course that threatens to exacerbate conflict. The binary dogma of political ‘us versus them’ will not steer Ethiopia to its destined greatness. Though the path is littered with obstacles, we must not yield to despondency. A collective resolve can forge the crucible of change. It is my fervent hope that my call for peace in Ethiopia will inspire others to join this urgent plea for serenity.

The current government, led by the Prime Minister, must prioritize the southern regions, where an end to hostilities is within reach; a prime example is the enduring strife between the Afar and Somali Regions and the decisive intervention by the Prime Minister’s office to quell the unrest—a commendable action that should set a precedent for resolving other conflicts with equal determination and honesty. Once peace is secured in the South, including among armed groups like the OLF, a strategic blueprint must be crafted to extend this harmony to the tumultuous North, a region learning the hard lesson that political power is transient, not permanent. Without the foundation of enduring peace, Ethiopia’s aspiration to ascend and flourish within the region and beyond will remain elusive. Only through a united vision of progress and unity can we lift our nation from chaos and cultivate a land ripe for global investment, fulfilling our dreams of prosperity and grandeur.

Significant strides have been made in the past seven years, with areas like the Somali and Southern regions experiencing a period of peace and stability. Yet, the Northern region remains volatile. It is imperative for the leaders in the North to favor harmony over discord. It is tragic that accusations of genocide persist, and it is vital to recognize that each innocent life lost to notions of supremacy hinders our nation’s progress.

Achieving peace is a formidable task amid a divided leadership struggling to reach a political consensus with the ruling authorities. The concept of ‘inclusive dialogue’—often promoted by our Western allies—rings hollow, a faint echo in the grand theater of diplomacy. The illusion of inclusivity becomes apparent when faced with a multitude of over sixty peaceful and militant groups. This pretense of inclusiveness is brandished as a shield, employed only when it suits their covert agendas, potentially entangling them in the nation’s ongoing strife.

We have, regrettably, become a society that leans towards violence, preferring it to the pursuit of lasting peace. This peace could herald a new age where all citizens envision a thriving nation abundant with wealth. However, in the brief interludes of calm, we observe fragmentation as factions arise, prompting questions about whether this division is a deliberate tactic by the government or the ruling party. Such rifts not only expose the country to the threat of conflict and war but also risk unraveling the very fabric of our nation. Thus, it is crucial that we avoid political interference during these sensitive times, lest we endanger the tenuous peace we so earnestly seek—a peace that is not just the absence of war but the cornerstone upon which we can construct a strong and prosperous society.

In our quest for genuine unity within Ethiopia, it is essential to allow the current leadership the liberty to promote both immediate and enduring inclusivity. In my earlier writings, I underscored Ethiopia’s potential to act as a beacon of hope not just for Africa but for the entire globe. This stands in stark contrast to the gloomy predictions of political analysts who believe Ethiopia is more likely to disintegrate than to emerge as a unified and thriving nation—a prophecy I firmly reject.

Take the Somali Region as an illustration. Here, peace was achieved not through coercion but through a pact between the government and the armed opposition. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the esteemed leader, has shown a steadfast commitment to his pledges in the Somali Region despite unwelcome political meddling in the ONLF, the armed faction that signed the peace agreement. Their patience has borne fruit, and there is a strong possibility that the region will continue to prosper, providing a valuable lesson for the entire nation. This success demonstrates the power of dialogue and compromise over conflict and serves as a shining example of Ethiopia’s potential for peace. I trust that adults will choose peaceful resolutions over violence for the sake of prosperity. The government should nurture a political environment that allows all segments of society, including the elite and intellectuals, to have their differences recognized and protected by the Constitution. We must not let our political self-interest lead to blame games, where numerous political parties cannot agree on anything except creating chaos.

Mohammed A. Ahmed (Cagaweyne) +251900644648