Democracy renewed

There exists in the more sophisticated of traditional societies, an elusive but ever present collective consciousness that has a perspective of vision that is unimaginably deeper than that of mere individuals and groups.
Ethiopia has thought long and hard and searched within itself in order to stop the national slide on a bumpy road to nowhere. This week, in what is one of the greatest early new-year’s ‘gifts’ ever to itself, our cherished nation re-committed to its destination of democracy.
We state that constructive history was written in golden letters by:
1.The pivotal mediation effort by a truly non-partisan and solely Ethiopian council of elders (Shimagelewotch).
2.The apparently wholehearted willingness of the Government of Ethiopia to accommodate their activities, along with a new re-engagement with the opposition.
3.The leaderships’ expressions of magnanimity.
4.The dignified humility and patriotism of the released politicians and other former detainees.
We thank all protagonists for proving in no uncertain terms that they hold Ethiopia’s welfare dearer to their hearts than all other aspirations. At last, Ethiopia can exhale a long sigh of relief.
At no other time in recent memory has Ethiopia been gripped with so much suspense as in the closing stages of the CUD and other detainees saga.
It would not be an overstatement to declare that the festering issue was never far from our collective minds even in the darkest and most ominous periods of the trial when it seemed that hope of an out of court settlement was a desert mirage.
The rumor mill was working overtime with ‘news’ of mediation efforts by foreign diplomats, U.S. congressional motions to pressure the Ethiopian government etc…
In the final analysis, it was Ethiopians who solved an Ethiopian issue and have in the process, resurrected the enormous promise of a democratic, united Ethiopia, so vividly on display during the historic elections of 2005.
The nation has undergone a harrowing roller coaster ride as those high hopes turned into some of the basest and tragic situation in our history. The silver lining in the dark cloud appeared only this week and we have done ourselves a historic favor by coming to our collective senses.
To all protagonists in the now concluding crisis and their relieved families, relatives and acquaintances, we congratulate them on their release and welcome them back into their professional and political careers.
As Ethiopians, we have learned important lessons from this episode in our history. The most obvious one is that we have returned to Ethiopia’s ancient tradition of mediated solutions.
We believe a positive trend has been started. It is gratifying also to hear the council of elders composed of dignitaries and led by eminent scholar Professor Ephraim Isaac, announce that their mission is not over. We wish them all Godspeed as they along with others, and with the continued support of the government, work towards bringing together Ethiopia’s children for the good of the motherland.
Let us also hope that this breeze of forgiveness, compassion and mercy will trickle down so that all the bickering and confrontations at all levels can end.
For too long we have weakened ourselves in the face of remorseless enemies who relish our disintegration. Our internal strife and division was their source of strength.
This week, we have redeemed our national psyche and embarked on our enemies’ worst nightmare - national reconciliation for a united, democratic and invincible Ethiopia.