“Stand together, we can overcome our adversities”

• Tagesse Chaffo: Speaker, HoPRs

Feb 26, 2020; Addis Ababa: Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, His Excellence Tagesse Chaffo, during the joint session with the Reconciliation Commission of Ethiopia said; “If we can stand together for common goals, we can overcome the adversities of the nation altogether”.

In the recent session with the Commission at the Speaker’s office, the Speaker pointed; now is the appropriate time for all Ethiopians engaged in all walks of life to stand together, to discuss on common issues and to act accordingly.

“Ethiopians involved in political spheres along with the experts and professionals in various disciplines shall work in unity with the religious leaders, public figures and everyone else in the country for the sake of the peace, stability and well-being of the nation”, the Speaker stressed during the discussion of the joint session.

So as to transform the nation to a better position than now, the Speaker said; standing together is the choice with no choice else. One side shall pay attention to the other side without prejudice, which shall be done in due respect of one to the other, will bring an existing mutual strength that the citizens are looking for; he believes.

His Excellence Tagesse Chaffo added, the overall atmosphere of the country: whether the political activities or any other engagements including the developmental tasks do awfully need reliable peace and reconciliation for feasibility. Hence, he said; we shall forgive each other for whatever is committed by our compatriots, so that it won’t happen again.

The multitudes of the national deeds conducted in the country so long have been manipulated in a wrong way that triggers no unity rather than solidarity, the Speaker recalled. As a result, one side says this and the other one says the other, which mismatches the original meaning that the nation as a whole is interested towards, seemingly; he explained.

“Peace and reconciliation are the burning contemporary issues to us, right now. They shall avoid the envy and stereotype among us. They shall also remove the disrespect and hatred among us. Then after, we can consume the natural resources that our country is abundantly endowed with” the Speaker advised.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew, Chairman of the Ethiopian Reconciliation Commission, on his part said; ‘Praise the Lord!’ that the current of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness commenced to wind across the nation. This has been perceived recently, as to him; at the family level, at the village and county levels which are extended to the country-wide phenomenon.

The Cardinal requested all the Muslim and the Christian faithful of the country to stick to prayers, which will pave the way back to the rightful conscience. By doing so, he hoped; the faithful will inevitably honour their fellow humans because they honour the Supreme Deity.

The Reconciliation Commission believes, as to the Cardinal; the nation will proceed on its way to growth and development by realizing the peace and reconciliation among all the concerned stakeholders of the nation. That is why citizens of all age categories show interest to unity and solidarity through reconciliation, he pointed.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus, Chairman of the Commission; led a group of five members. They were: World Laureate Dr Tibebe Yemane Berhan, Chairman of Administration matters and Partnership Affairs Standing Committee; Leul Beidemariam Mekonnin, Chairman of Justice and Reconciliation Affairs Standing Committee; Tamiru Lega, Chairman of Data Gathering and Analysis Standing Committee; Tamrat Kidanemariam, Truth Seeking and Investigation Standing Committee and the last but not least, W/ro Hiwot Alemayehu, Directo-General of the Secretariat of the Commission; it was learnt.

The Ethiopian Reconciliation Commission is just a year-old organization established last year following extensive consultations that considered the national demands.

By Asrat Addisu

      House writer