Monday, December 4, 2023
HomeOpinionThe Down of Everything to the Dawn of Everything 

The Down of Everything to the Dawn of Everything 

Google map of Ethiopia

Dr. Taye Berhanu 

A friend of mine from Kampala, Uganda, sent me a book titled “The Dawn of Everything: A New  History of Humanity” by David Graeber and David Wengrow. This title attracted my attention.  Without having a glimpse on the contents of the book, I envied the positive spirit which my country  lacked for years. No wonder the title rekindles the feelings of the short lived hope of Ethiopians.  But, to no avail. The ethnic federal political system in place is queer and odd not only to Ethiopia  but to the international community as well. Since the EPRDF replaced the Derg, a new political  system, ethnic federalism, has immersed the country to a horrendous situation menacing its unity,  sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and stability. Passing through immense trials and  tribulations, Ethiopia has entered a new momentum which has cumulatively turned the dawn of  everything to the down of everything. 

Without exaggeration, Ethiopia, in its age-old history, has become the first country in the 21st century to have a government that relentlessly strived for the destabilization and disintegration of  its own country. After ‘boldly’ facilitating the smooth secession of Eritrea, it has continued its  audacious strategy of turning down the history of Ethiopia. The Constitution of the Federal  Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has given a legal basis for division and unconditional right of  secession to the so-called numerous nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. The coined  vague political terminologies of nations, nationalities and peoples were central in defining the  objective of the political system of EPRDF, a deep-seated despise to Ethiopia’s one nation and one  people analogy. 

The EPRDF has laid down the groundwork for the dismemberment of the country. It has fomented  tribal hatred and engineered genocidal crimes against humanity. The death tolls of civilians,  destruction of public and private properties, persecution of political dissenters, journalists, activists and critics, internal displacements and fleeing abroad have astronomically escalated. This  appalling situation had, albeit aborted, opened a new chapter in 2018 ousting the EPRDF  leadership and installing a new leadership, soon crowned as Prosperity Party. 

Paradoxically, though, the new leadership has stirred up and stimulated a new spirit of unity and  Ethiopian nationalism that was buried for almost three decades. Some democratic and  humanitarian measures had ushered in a new hope of peace, stability, unity, progress and  prosperity. Deplorably, however, the demise of the Ethiopian people resumed so quickly with  unbearable challenges. The new Government has hastened the implementation of the Constitution  faster than its predecessor. The implementation of the Constitution means nothing but the  actualization of Article 39, the right of nations, nationalities and peoples to unconditionally secede.  Its implementation is the fueling of hatred and animosity among the people. In other words, the  expected adverse consequences of ethnic federalism were in full swing. All sorts of sordid crimes  instigated by ethnic politics got the free hand and space to hover without any hindrances. 

The perpetuation of the atrocious crimes committed against the Ethiopian people on tribal basis  has induced politicians, activists, the academia and the general public at large to ponder over the  credibility and nature of the 2018 change. Questions like|, ‘Was it a real or camouflaged change? Was it a change of leadership or change of government?’ arose in the minds of many. It has become crystal clear for most that the change was not a change of government. Rather, it was, and is, a change of leadership. The flickering hope that was ignited by the words of the incumbent  leadership of PP had, incontrovertibly, seduced the majority of the Ethiopian people that it was a  change of government. But, through time, the unprecedented worsening situation has eloquently  depicted that the change was merely a change of leadership. 

Obviously, the Prosperity Party has firmly embraced the FDRE Constitution since its very birth in  2018. It has resolutely and vehemently strived for the practical implementation of the Constitution. Contrary to the whims and wishes of the people, the government has galvanized the long-awaited  appalling political, economic and social consequences of ethnic federalism. The tragic  consequences of ethnic federalism manifested in the northern, central, eastern, western and  southern parts of the country, essentially in all parts of the country, are indelible inhuman records  in the annals of Ethiopian history. The fratricidal wars that claimed the lives of more than half  million people, the internal displacement of millions of Ethiopians in different areas; the genocidal  crimes committed against the Amharas and Afars; the despicable destructions and devastation of  public, private and individual properties and infrastructures; the barring of movement of people  from Amhara region to Addis Ababa; the burning of vehicles and massacre of drivers and  passengers; the looting of banks and private organizations and individuals; the burning of houses and churches; repeated abductions of students and nationals; the holding of hostages for ransom  purposes are some of the major ignominious criminal activities that extremely haunted the country during the last four years. 

The Down of Everything 

Amidst the agonies the Ethiopian people have traversed through, the last devastating bullet was  casted at the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church (ETOC}. This was meant as the last resort of  the most obnoxious and heinous atrocities aimed to expedite the dismemberment of the country.  The only remaining uniting force that has obstructed the disintegration process of Ethiopia is the  Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church. Since time immemorial, the ETOC, whose followers are  drawn from all walks of life, has had historic spiritual tasks in defending the unity, sovereignty  and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. Guided by the behest of its spiritual beliefs, the ETOC has  remained determined to withstand all vicissitudes of hardships by taking various measures against  all odds. It had ex-communicated and condemned numerous leaders in the past who betrayed their  beliefs and country. History amply attests that the ETOC had successfully rallied Ethiopians – Christians, Muslims, non-Christians and non-believers – in the fight against all internal and  external encroachments. Its strong spiritual threads that have netted Ethiopians together have  always boosted their morale and dedication to sacrifice their dear and unreplaceable lives.  

Whenever enemies of Ethiopia indulge in hostile activities against the ETOC, honest and genuine  people express sorrow on the impending plausible horrendous consequences. It is said that an  attack against the ETOC is like touching the untouchable that begets undesirable consequences for  all. Likewise, the current politically motivated futile attempts made to weaken and divide the  ETOC at this political juncture which can be epitomized as the down of everything, is touching  the untouchable. The solidarity of the Ethiopian Muslims, other religion followers as well as  foreign Christian churches and organizations with the ETOC is a clear testimony of the magnanimous role it plays at national and international levels. 

The land of God, Ethiopia, has always encountered numerous challenges finding itself at times in  deeper political, economic, social and spiritual quagmire. Yet, it never failed in stretching its hands 

unto God. The recent attack on the ETOC is unprecedented in its complexity and nature of the crisis.  It is more cumbersome and perplexing. It is a test not solely to ETOC but to the very existence of  our Motherland. Frustrated and burnt at heart by the inexplicable abhorrent and loathsome acts  against the ETOC, an Ethiopian had to say this; “What a punishment it is to be born and live in a  hopeless and unpredictable country.” This amplifies in a nutshell that the all-round deteriorating  situation in all corners of the country has made everything down. The Dawn of Everything is  utterly replaced by the Down of Everything triggered by ethnic federalism targeted at the Ethiopian  Tewahedo Orthodox Church. The burning of churches, the flogging and massacre of priests,  monks and followers of the Church eventually culminated in annihilating the ETOC through a  political mantle of ethnic federalism.  

The sinister conspiracies hatched by internal and external enemies of Ethiopia for years,  particularly during the last three decades, have sought to hasten the demise of the age-old  independent and free country by destroying the people’s spiritual basis. The Ethiopian Tewahedo  Orthodox Church is not merely a spiritual basis. Adorned and magnified with its rich spiritual  wealth, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the true basis of the creation of the Ethiopian state, the  source of wisdom and civilization, a clean and sparkling womb that united and cemented the  Ethiopians of various cultures or languages and beliefs together. 

Alas, what a historical coincidence! The Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church which played a  leading role in mobilizing and rallying the Ethiopian people at all times of tests and particularly  during the Battle of Adowa against the colonialist Italy one hundred twenty seven years ago in the  month of January/February, has demonstrated its indomitable force of truth, its stern belief and  stance in an indivisible Church; its iconic and unflinching trust in God; its uniting force and its  strong attachment with the Almighty. 

The recent challenges poised against the Church have shown the world again that the Ethiopian  Tewahedo Orthodox Church cannot be intimidated and divided by any earthly force. The teachings  of the ETOC for the millennia have crystallized the union of the Fathers and the followers irrespective of language differences. Fathers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, members of the  Synod, have shown us, as always, their well-entrenched knowledge, leadership quality, patience  and perseverance, selfless commitment to sacrifice their lives for their religion and their spiritual  dear sons and daughters. By the same token, followers have demonstrated their commitment to  obey and pay every sacrifice to implement the orders of the Synod at any cost.  

Invariably, the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church has served as a backbone of the country and  oneness of its people. This was evidently proved by the support extended by followers and non followers of ETOC. All this clearly and vividly depicts that the existence of the ETOC is  tantamount to the existence of Ethiopia, and the vice versa. Undeniably, the ETOC sparks and  spreads the religion of peace and love and above all the teachings of Jesus Christ., the source of  pride of Ethiopians. The government’s reluctance to take action against the wrong-doers and its  support to ETOC deviants could be equated by many as dismantling the ETOC and dismembering  Ethiopia. Therefore, in the interest of the nation and the people, the disintegration of the ETOC,  the basis and pillar of Ethiopia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, cannot and must not  be tolerated by the Ethiopian people. Such an act could mean the down of everything. This is  unacceptable not solely by Ethiopians but by all those who stand for religious freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, for progress, prosperity and independence the world over.

#No More Interference 

The #No More Movement targeting the external forces has turned to internal #No More  interference of the Government in the affairs of religion. #No More interference by the government  is not meant to call for neutrality. Rather, the call is for the respect of the rule of law. The call is  for the respect of the ETOC, which is the respect of the people and maintaining the peace and security  of the country. The ETOC has earnestly appealed to the Government to discharge its duties and  responsibilities by ceasing siding with the enemies of ETOC. The urgent call of the ETOC is to  strictly abide by its own legal obligation of maintaining peace and security and by taking instant,  effective and efficient measures against the parties that have hatched adverse conspiracies to divide  the Church and dismember the country. The government shall no longer give deaf ear to the  spiritual basis of the Ethiopians. The most perturbing situation that haunted the EOTC shall be  reverted once and for all. There is no Ethiopia in the weak ETOC. Ethiopia and ETOC are inseparably interrelated, interconnected and interwoven.  

Further, the resolute and fearless stand of the Fathers and followers of ETOC to pay every sacrifice  in defense of their spiritual springs of wisdom, wealth and strength and the support earned  internally and externally has, for now and will in the future, dramatically bent the downturn  doldrums to a dawn of everything. The Ethiopian people who had shown stiff resistance to  parochial or chauvinistic tribalism are yearning for a dependable and sustainable panacea to the  chronic problems which had downed everything in Ethiopia. The response to the challenge of  ETOC shall be NO; but Yes to the call of the Synod. The right path to the dawn of everything in  Ethiopia is NO to the existing ethnic federalism political system. And, yes to a democratic and  peaceful system that augurs true and realistic hopes.  

The incumbent government and contending political parties shall emulate the remarkable qualities of the Synod of handling national problems. The intelligent, self-less commitment, dedication and  well strategic approach of the ETOC Fathers have amply demonstrated what the Ethiopian people  really want for success. It is high time that down everything has to relinquish its place to the  dawn of everything. It is the best means to bring back Ethiopia’s glory and to halt the shameful  and abhorrent hatred and fratricidal wars. Let the Dawn of Everything be blessed and cherish the  Ethiopian people with peace, unity, progress and prosperity by casting away the debris of ethnic  federalism .Ethiopia and ETOC shall triumph.

Editor’s note : views in the article reflect the views of the writer, not the views of borkena.com 

__

To Publish Article On borkena, please send submission to info@borkena.com for consideration.

Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena

Business Listing 

Join the conversation. Follow us on twitter @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Like borkena on facebook as well. To share information or send a submission, use info@borkena.com

advertisment

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here