Strengthening unity, diversity
Haile-Michael Asgedom
Omoud Ojulu is a merchant in Gambella. He said his sons and wife are all busy working in their shop. The shop which was set up in 1988 has been thriving with time. According to him, peace and security of the country has enabled him to travel a lot for the purpose of business, work hard and become rich from sale of grains and electronics.
His wife Wizero Aster has come to Gambella from Amhara, Bahirdar. She was looking for a job in Gambella and Omoud had employed her in his shop. He said her being diligent and honest has forced him to get drawn to her and ask her hand for marriage. At that time, he said, she faltered a bit to accept his company and told him she wanted to go back to her home town.
Omoud said he is fortunate enough for marrying a wife as honest, polite and hard working as Aster. He stressed he would have not been successful had it not been for the support of Aster. At first, he said, communication was difficult for them. But through time both have learned many languages and now communication has become easy. This in turn has enabled to strengthen their bond and family ties.
Currently, their family has been blessed with three sons who are supporting their family. He understands his family is the symbol of federalism and peaceful co-existence. Both have learned to respect the language and culture of their family background. The family celebrates many holidays and enjoys many festivities that originate from the traditions and beliefs of Amhara and Gambella peoples.
Luckily, their son, Daniel has been assigned to a university in Debre-Markos. He said his assignment has given him the opportunity to understand the history and culture of Ethiopia. He has gained many lessons from his colleagues as universities are the miniature of Ethiopia’s cultural diversity for they accommodate many students that made their way from all corners of the country.
Daniel believes he has learned the sense of federalism starting from his family. He said his father from Gambella and mother from Amhara State have a lot to express about federalism. Particularly, his education in the university has enabled him to learn a great deal about the system of federalism and its benefit to accommodate the interest of many nations and nationalities (he understands that Ethiopia is the home of many nations and nationalities).
Most importantly, the nations and nationalities day being celebrated in the university has been absorbing him very much. All the celebrations in the university including the Flag Day have helped the students to understand the situation of federalism in Ethiopia. In addition, fashion week, beauty contest and university sports day have all become good lessons of federalism.
A case in point, the beauty contest being made in the university in a yearly basis has become a uniquely appreciated occasion to instruct unforgettable lesson about federalism. During the fashion week, all contestant students get dressed in riveting costumes of Ethiopian peoples emblazoned with all colors and design that reflect the culture and tradition of Ethiopia and its peoples.
Really, everybody craves to watch the contestants show off and cat walk and the busy stage that gets crammed with thousands of students. The occasion is a fest for the eyes and everybody nudges and jostles to get to the best possible corner of the stage ahead of time and enjoy the program to the fullest. The winner of the competition represents his/her culture and takes the crown in the name of Ethiopian peoples.
Equally important, the winner gives briefings about the language, costume and culture of his /her nationality to the university community. This opportunity has enabled students to understand the various cultures of the country and strengthen their awareness about federalism and the nascent trend of administration being perused by Ethiopia.
It is obvious that Ethiopians from all walks of life aspire for peace, a constitutional system anchored in equality and justice for all, and a democratic, prosperous and inclusive nation. This necessitates a peaceful co-existence that enables to ensure mutual respect, tolerance, solidarity, constructive and open dialogue and the enrichment of shared values that help forestall conflicts thereby strengthening national unity.
Needless to explain, Ethiopia is endowed with many nations and nationalities that have their own distinct language, culture and tradition. In addition, the country is endowed with considerable natural resources, a wonderful climate as well as a morally upstanding and far-sighted people.
Hence, it has become a must for the citizens, politicians and other actors in the political arena to be always mindful of the fact that supreme authority resides in the people. As such they must safeguard the country from evil acts that may jeopardize the interest of its peoples (curtail the conflict incited by anti-peace and anti-development elements in Somali region for instance).
The heart of federalism is equality, rule of law, tolerance, mutual respect and unity in diversity. Hence, no amount of misunderstanding about federalism should lead citizens to get astray from the principles of federalism (not to violate afore mentioned principles and pillars of federalism and wantonly violate the rights of others).
Ethiopian peoples have lived together peacefully for centuries; thanks to people and elders for making use of customary dispute resolution mechanisms, forgive one other and bring about lasting reconciliation instead of aggravating conflicts).The great people of Ethiopia have co-existed harmoniously for millennia primarily because of the common values underpinning their unity are stronger than what divides them.
Not only manifestation of peaceful co-existence and tolerance for millennia, in fact citizens have time and again demonstrated a united front in paying the ultimate price to defend the sovereignty of their beloved country (from the aggression of European colonialists). Their timeless sacrifice has inspired not only the anti-colonial struggle of black people in Africa, but also the Pan-African movement.
Ethiopia is fortunate to have millions of citizens who are committed to devote their knowledge, money, time and energy for the advancement of federalism and enhance unity, diversity, peaceful co-existence and national consensus. Currently, the country needs more than ever before citizens who are prepared to pay the necessary sacrifice for such sacrosanct purposes as nurturing generations and extricating compatriots from the merciless grips of poverty and backwardness.
Currently, it is imperative to defend Ethiopia’s cherished status as a home to all Africans and maintain the reputation it enjoys on the continental and global stage. Ethiopian peoples have been embodying a living legacy that has set a pioneering example of freedom, unity, and harmonized way of living.
Ethiopia is a country of over 80 nations and nationalities it is of the essence to avert the occurrence of injustice, oppression, hatred and mistrust, which is liable to provide its sworn enemies with an opening to sow discord and undermine the remarkable solidarity exhibited by its people.
Federalism is just budding in Ethiopia. It has so far helped to unite the country and sustain the values of diversity. However, much has to be done in championing commonly appreciated and accepted legacies. In this regard, a far-sighted policy and strategy used to strengthen consensus and unity in diversity (regarding commendable achievements) has to be formulated and implemented.
As a matter of fact, it is obligatory to maintain the strongest sense of federalism with a spirit of farsightedness, forgiveness and patriotism intended to sustain the unity of Ethiopia. Federalism cannot take root through vicious contests aimed solely at assuming political power as they are destined to wreak havoc. Similarly, the anti-Ethiopia campaign being waged on social media by the lackeys of Ethiopia’s enemies must particularly be strategically defeated by citizens of all stripes for such actions run counter to the will of Ethiopia and its nascent system of federalism.
Currently, citizens like Omoud and Daniel are happy that federalism has enabled them to enjoy equality and enjoy the benefits of diversity. They believe sporadic problems arising between regions have to be solved with the mutual understanding of regions and consensus of people. Hopes are great that federalism will bloom to enrich Ethiopian citizens and herald the unshakable peace and development of the country.