It’s becoming clearer by the day that there are sinister forces behind the June 29 assassination of the Oromiffa singing sensation Hachalu Hundessa and the ensuing violence that led to the death of hundreds of defenseless citizens as well as the destruction of both private and public property across Addis Ababa and some cities in the Oromia regional state.

The deadly violence which rocked some parts of Ethiopia last week did not come as a surprise to many who had been expressing misgivings that it was certain to happen.

First we would like to express our deepest sorrow on the callous killing of the Oromiffa singing sensation Hachalu Hundessa this Monday. The perpetrators of this outrage must be brought to justice within the shortest possible time.

The use of the Nile waters is drawing unwarranted meddling from countries nearby and far afield with acts encroaching on the natural rights of the upper riparian countries, particularly Ethiopia, on the rise.

As the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates in Ethiopia with devastating effects it portends an even heavier humanitarian and economic toll.

A viable nation can neither be built on nor destroyed by lies. Whereas ethical values guide visionary citizens when they embark on a nation-building exercise, lies and deceptions are the favored instruments of characters intent on tearing a country apart.

Damning as the report published by Amnesty International a week ago may be there is no denying that it helps the Government of Ethiopia and Ethiopians from all walks of life draw important lessons.

One of the manifestations of the dangers of the poor governance of a nation is the hand-wringing and running around like a headless chicken witnessed during emergencies.

Ethiopian politics has long been the battleground of two intractably opposed forces. These forces have been waging a war of attrition that has inflicted an incalculable damage on the country and its people.

As Ethiopia endeavors to overcome the raft of problems which have been besetting it for eons it is battling strong headwinds in the form of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the deepening rift between it and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).