God Speed 2007

The Gregorian new year is not as significant to a nation that boasts its own, now unique calendar and yet, Ethiopians by and large mark the occasion to keep in step with most of the rest of the world. Of course, hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians do live by the Gregorian calendar. Among them are Roman Catholics, Protestant Christians and last but by no means least, the large expatriate community in Addis Ababa and the regions. To all, and sundry, Capital extends joyful season's greetings. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
So what sort of year was the one we are seeing off and what are our expectations of 2008?
As far as it concerns 2007, one morsel of lay psychology would indicate it was quite a good year in contrast to 2006. This is the commonly held belief that the shorter something seems then the more chances that the time was enjoyable or tolerable at the very least. By this measure 2007 flew by like greased lightning.
The year's defining theme was set by the numerous events related to the celebration of the new Ethiopian Millennium. Fraught with worries over terrorist plots, the ongoing detention of CUD leaders and others and, hitherto unseen rates of inflation, relatively few gave the millennium preparations and activities any chance of success.
In the end, security was assured, CUD detainees finally released and inflation… well it continued upwards remorselessly, with traders capitalizing on the historic occasion. And oh yes, Beyonce bounced all around the place, bless her! In general the level of success the new Millennium achieved and the symbolic significance of the momentum it has created took even the most incorrigible pessimist by surprise.
Having said that, the political arena is not greatly improved all that better nor has the opposition displayed any depth of party discipline. Poverty is still pervasive and even reaching critical levels in urban areas. The nation's roads are being built at an unprecedented pace but it seems that they are also death traps - super highways for a nation of reckless drivers. In the last months alone over 30 people have died in horrendous traffic accidents.
Oblivious it seems to these and other challenges, the economic fundamentals have been strong with Foreign Direct Investment reaching a robust 7 % of GDP in 2007. Horticulture and flowers also performed remarkably - helping to push export values past the psychologically significant 1 billion dollar threshold for the first time ever.
One development still going strong has been the increased availability of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who has been quite busy holding various discussions with stakeholders in different sectors. This is believed to have contributed some measure to bring government and society closer. It is hoped that this practice will continue in the new year.
There is a dark cloud on the horizon though and this is the cancerous relationship with Eritrea. Already this week the two countries have traded accusations and counter charges of instigating a border skirmish. So far, there appears to be no way in which the two sides can find common ground. It is the duty of all forces of peace in the world to exert their influence over the belligerents if another war is to be avoided. The Horn of Africa has thirsted for peace for too long and can not afford more conflict. Aside from the direct costs in human life and property, another war would retard - perhaps indefinitely, Ethiopia's path to sustainable development.
That can not be allowed to happen.