The people of God in Ethiopia are “crying out” for peace, the Coordinator of the Department of Family and Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) has said.
In his Christmas message, which Ethiopians celebrated on Sunday, January 7, Fr. Abinet Abebe has emphasized the need for Ethiopians to “diligently work” to secure peace, which he describes as the “cornerstone of tranquility”.
“We should listen to our nation of Ethiopia crying out to her children and share the peace, joy, unity and love we received from our Lord Jesus,” Fr. Abebe says in his Christmas message that ACI Africa obtained Monday, January 8.
He decries the loss of “peace, happiness, unity, and love” that he says the Horn of African nation “deserves” and emphasizes, “Let us diligently work towards peace, turning away from those who instigate conflict.”
Violent conflict in Ethiopia’s Northern region of Tigray region started on 4 November 2020 when the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) allegedly launched an attack on Ethiopia’s Federal Government Army base in the region.
The war was expected to subside after the 2 November 2022 signing of a peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and TPLF in Pretoria, South Africa, with the two parties pledging to “permanently silence the guns and end the two years of conflict in northern Ethiopia”.
As the United Nations investigations into commission of human rights abuses during the Tigray war concluded in October 2023, there were reports of “more atrocities” in the region.
Last August, another cycle of clashes broke out in Amhara, Ethiopia’s second-largest region. The crisis between the military and local militia which became Ethiopia's most serious security crisis compelled Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to declare a six-month state of emergency, Reuters reported.
A report that was released in December last year indicated that “some 56,000 people have been displaced from Ethiopia to Sudan during the ongoing conflict between federal government troops and the Tigray.”
In his Christmas message, Fr. Abebe underscores the need for peace in the country, saying, “Peace is the cornerstone of tranquillity in our nation, Ethiopia, and in our hearts.”
For lasting peace in the country, the Catholic Priest says, Ethiopians need to explore different options, and adds that peace must begin with oneself before it extends to the entire society.
“When a person is at peace with his creator, he is at peace with himself. If he is at peace with himself, he will be at peace with others,” he explains, and goes on to urge Ethiopians to embrace love and unity in their diversity.
He continues, “The Creator's time for peace is revealed through the divine moments of grace. Let us extend goodwill to all directions, towards our neighbours. Endeavor to cultivate the essence of peace in thought and action.”
The Coordinator of the Department of Family and Youth of CBCE further calls on Ethiopians to “contribute to the well-being of others and be mindful of their needs.”
He calls upon his compatriots to “uphold humility and avoid arrogance, striving to create an environment of harmony.”
“Individuals, in their pursuit of meaningful work, should embody peace in their interactions, recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity,” Fr. Abebe says in his Christmas message.
He adds, “Let our actions reflect the love and compassion that our Savior demonstrated during His time on earth. Let us embrace one another with open hearts and minds, recognizing the inherent value and worth of every individual.”
“May we, as a people, manifest peace in our daily lives and promote understanding and reconciliation,” the Ethiopian Catholic Priest implores, adding, “Extend a hand of peace to others, creating a ripple effect of goodwill and unity.”