Trying Times

This week has been one of the most difficult and burdensome in the history of Ethiopia. The country has lost two of its influential and powerful leaders under unexpected and somewhat bizarre circumstances. His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi died this week, leaving the nation in total shock, disbelief, and a load of unanswered questions. The nation is in a mood of absolute distress and shock over these incidents, especially with the latter. Even the weather seems to back up the feeling.
It was unbelievable for me to see the emotions reflected on Tuesday night when the body of the PM arrived in the capital Addis Ababa. Thousands of Addis Ababans turned out to the streets from the airport towards the National Palace where his body lies in state, braving the heavy rain and aching cold of the night to welcome their deceased leader. People were crying loudly, as if they have lost a member of their family. I even could not stop my tears from falling down as I followed the event live on TV at home. I'm sure that not all of those people who cried their hearts out for Meles have voted for his party, EPRDF in the 2010 elections. Nobody has forced them to do that. It's just a feeling that they felt at the time when they learned of his passing, not forgetting the impact that he made on the younger generation, and with concern over what is to come next.
People surely have their own perceptions about Meles. Some say he was a visionary and successful leader, others say he was a dictator, and a leader with an iron fist. In my opinion, every leader has his/her own strengths and weaknesses, and Meles is no exception. His administration has fruited a great deal of endeavors in the political, economic, and social sectors of the nation over the last two decades. On the other hand, it has failed to succeed in a number of areas of those sectors. At both ends, Meles was all aboard. He was the architect for the government policies and strategies, so it's no wonder if he was the one to be hailed for the successes, and blamed for the failures. Furthermore, I think politics makes one smart , and at times cruel, and I believe Meles has lived both worlds.
Then it all came down to the day he passed away. And ever since he was gone, people everywhere have been expressing their feelings. Most expressed their heartfelt grievances over his passing, praising him for what he has done for Ethiopia, and Africa at large. Even those who strongly opposed him on the political front at home have acknowledged his efforts in spite of their ideological differences. A very few, regrettably, expressed their joy over his death. It's no surprise Al-Shabab, the Somali-based Islamic faction, hailed his death, since he was the man who literally "ended" its "joy- ride" in Somalia. But to listen to some Ethiopians (if they're truly Ethiopians) say they are "extremely happy", that's so sickening! My advice to these people is this: Let's be human for a moment here. Meles may have hurt you one way or another. But this is no time to hail his death. Please look at the big picture. He wasn't just a random guy. He was a leader of this great nation. He had its fate on his hands for the last 21 years, for better or for worse. You should be worried about Ethiopia and its people; "What would happen to them after Meles' gone?" should be your concern. Let's think as citizens, not as sworn enemies. Dancing over a fellow citizen's death is not Ethiopian. And remember, you will die, eventually, too.

Photos from: The Reporter (www.ethiopianreporter.com)
The passing of the two high-profile leaders has greatly affected the nation. The loss is multi-faceted. But it is also an opportunity, an opportunity to pause for a while and think about the future. As my favorite blogger Daniel Kibret observed, it's time to ask "Why did we lose the Patriarch and the Prime Minister at this time?", "What message is God conveying to us?", and "What lesson are we going to get from all this?"
I believe it's about time that all of us [Ethiopians] need to open up our minds and think long and hard about what is to come to our nation. What happened to this country this week is a clear sign for all of us that we're facing some tough times, as well as answer some tough questions. So let's be clear about one thing: This is not a joke. It's a serious matter. This is a time to look for answers for the dreadful problems that we're having all around; be it in the church, the mosque, the palace, or the household.  Apart from personal or institutional grudges, let's think for the better future of this awesome nation of ours. Let's be true Ethiopians, for once in our lives. This is a trying time for all of us in Ethiopia, and trying times call for wise reactions. So let's be wise.
May God be the guardian for Ethiopia and its people!!!

The Spirit of the Olympics III

The flame has finally been puffed off at the Olympics Stadium in London on Sunday night. After 16 days of thrilling sporting actions,mixed emotions, and, above all, a spirit of solidarity and international friendship, the 10,000+ athletes form around 204 nations are packing their bags to return home. It's pretty amazing how much the games have captivated us over the last couple of weeks; no deep interest over the global political affairs making the news on the media, no crying over the economic hangover, or no ear-dropping over celebrity gossip, only the Olympics!
Another thing that amazed me from the Olympics was the variety of the sports that have been featured this year, 26 to be precise. It seems to me that everybody had a nice treat throughout the days of the Olympic games.
On the home front, I'm satisfied with the seven medals; three gold, a silver, and three bronze, that Ethiopian athletes have earned. given the problems that were surfaced prior to the team's departure to London, on team selection and training strategy. Of course, the medals have not met the expectations of the EOC, i.e; 12 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze), they are quite enough for a nation whose sporting participation is restricted on athletics. However, it has become a wake-up call for the nation's sports' governing bodies, saying that the results were not up to the country's status at the Olympics. On the other hand, though, a big shout-out to the ladies, namely; Tirunesh, Tiki, Meseret, Sofia, and a special one for Worknesh, whose dedication to her country's victory was outshining. On the men's department, Dejen's and Tariku's silver and bronze, respectively, have been quite exemplary.
Thanks to the Games Makers

Thanks to the Games Makers
Photo from: www.london2012.com

Back to London, the organization to the game was excellent, despite some irregularities that have been exhibited at first. The Local Organizing Committee has done a tremendous job in making the games exciting. And the 70,000 "game maker" volunteers, including a number of Ethiopians, have been so dedicated for all the games. Everyone involved has helped make the game, and the spirit of the Olympics, a reality.
Thank you London for hosting such a decorated event as the Olympics. The games have truly "inspired a generation." Thank you the athlets, for  inspiring the world. Thank you, our Ethiopian olympians, for inspiring a nation. Thank you everyone for keeping the spirit alive!
Look forward to Rio 2016!



The Olympic spirit rises out of the Flame
Photo from: www.london2012.com

The Spirit of the Olympics II

A week after I wrote my last piece entitled "The Spirit of the Olympics," I came across a photo posted on Facebook. It shows a group of athletes riding together in a bus at the Olympics arena in London. They are no random athletes: They are ERITREANS AND ETHIOPIANS!

The familiar faces in this picture includes Tirunesh Dibaba from Ethiopia and Zeresenay Tadesse from Eritrea. It's so amazing, at the same time, so exciting to see athletes from two neighbouring nations who were in a bitter series of wars and bloodshed for close to 40 years enjoying their moment together. That's the Spirit!
As I have stated in my last post, the Olympics is all about peace, love, respect, and harmony. With a high-spirited hope to see these pillars of the game in action, I have been waiting to see how athletes from countries whose relations with other countries are at a limbo would react when they encounter those nations at the sporting events. I'm glad to see the athletes representing my country and our northern neighbors smiling to each other, and maybe, cracking jokes.
It doesn't matter what caused the rift between the leaderships of the two nations, or what goes on inside their political platforms in their respective capitals at this moment. This is sports, even better, the Olympics. These athletes have shown true sportsmanship, and made us think, once again, that we are of the same bloodline.
Congratulations on your unity. You have shown high respect for each other, and for the spirit of the game. Our leaders, and we the peoples, may not see eye to eye right now, but you have proved that we may, sometime in the near future. You are the heroes of the hour!
Good luck to you all!!