Reuters photo
By
Alem Hailu G/Kristos
Drawing lessons from wrong turns and dead set at bringing down the curtain on the revolting history of tyrants and lechers that had been cold-bloodedly wreaking havoc and mercilessly sponging on the country’s wealth, Ethiopia has come onboard the vehicle of change.
Tragically, derailing the developmental push of the country, which is struggling to pull its legs out of the quagmire of poverty, was made a fad by corrupt and brutal officials.
Nowadays, Ethiopia is all out to see to the genuine translation of human rights clearly enshrined in the constitution and international conventions, its signature appended to.
After the recent reform, Ethiopia is wholeheartedly working as usher of tranquility in its vicinity and catalyst of regional integration. People in the Horn are breathing the oxygen of peace and fostering their chemistry. Trade ties are also tightening to the benefit of many.
To address gender disparity thereby empowering members of the fair sex, Ethiopia, in an unprecedented manner, is adorning top-level government posts with talented and responsible ladies.
The nation is also determined in lending muscles to its democratic institutions as the next election is fast approaching. This elephantine move forward is bringing together Ethiopian politicians scattered across the globe chased out by tyrants, all with one leg in the grave. Justice is also setting its anchor.
No longer muffled by iron censorship, media outlets are flexing muscles to taste the amenities of freedom of expression like their contemporaries in the affluent countries. Prison cells are no more thronged by journalists, opposition party members and citizens that express their ideas freely. Since things were fast upturned in Ethiopia, thanks to its young blood, the country has been chosen to host World Press Day in 2019.
No more repelled by bureaucratic hurdles, Ethiopians in the diaspora and foreign investors are enunciating interest to invest in Ethiopia. Peace, democracy, development, unity and fraternity are the overarching feelings the major segment of Ethiopians are entertaining these days.
It is in cognizance of the aforementioned fruits of effective leadership, the African Leadership Magazine marked Dr. Abiy Ahmed leader of 2018.
Indeed, together with other change agents, the PM has cruised the country from an uncharted to a safe water. He is also unflaggingly working to stabilize the country.
But, detractors that sought refuge in some quarters and who have power to pull strings putting their corruption amassed money to evil use, make frantic bids to mar the ensued peace. “Unless we rule the country the wrong way we used to, we shall push it down the precipice. Weakening you we shall stand by ourselves!” they seem to utter. They also try to belittle the image of the world-famous votaries of change. They seem oblivious to the filth of corruption and atavism that disgustingly gushed out of each pore of the ousted system, whose rein they grabbed. Tyrants were exuding filth that were a stench in the nostrils of Ethiopians.
Rich they are with different faces, like divide and rule they implement even in universities. They also covertly distribute arms. Now they have come up with another old face of theirs—terrorism. Clicking with their Trojan horses, they are burying hand grenades so that unsuspecting commuters breathe their last on remote highways.
Standing in unison with change agents and closing ranks, Ethiopians have to say no to evil motives of those who adore to boast a closetsful of skeletons. This is the 21 century. Soaking ones hands with blood winding back the clock tothe stone age does not work.
As the adage runs “It gets pitch dark before it dawns!” Wholehearted rallying behind change agents we have to ensure the country’s development, undaunted.
Replacing money, especially the 50 and 100 Birr notes, as many suggest could be advisable to ward off embezzled-money-sponsored conflicts and chaos that surface in Ethiopia again and again. The aforementioned changes are signs of dying pockets of resistances. It is the dance of a slain hen.
The future is rosy. Let us stand firm.
Alem Hailu G/Kristos
A published poet, novelist, editor, translator of masterpieces, literary critic, playwright and journalist from Ethiopia. M.A holder in literature, Addis Ababa University.
Looking for a traditional publisher of a collection of poems. My novel: ‘Hope from the debris of hopelessness’.