Overshadowed by the political upheaval roiling the country the headwinds buffeting Ethiopia’s economy have the potential to turn into the mother of all crises if they are not promptly dealt with.

Foremost among the hallmarks of a civilized society is the possession of strong moral values and ethics. Such a society shows honor, compassion, solidarity, loyalty and love for all of human kind; it knows right from wrong and acts accordingly; it cherishes justice and equity but abhors ethnic, racial, religious, gender and cultural discriminations.

The international matches slated to be staged in Ethiopia have reportedly been switched, albeit temporarily, to neighboring countries because the country’s stadiums have failed to meet the minimum standard set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Ethiopians know well that united they can do wonders, that they will be accorded respect when they earn global recognition for their country through collaborative efforts. On Monday July 29, 2019 news that Ethiopians from all corners of the nation turned out in droves and accomplished an unprecedented feat in the number of seedlings planted in a single day reverberated around the world.

The appalling murders, pillaging, vandalism and displacement which took place the previous week in the Sidama Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State clearly show that if they find the smallest of openings gangsters can destroy the nation.

Presently Ethiopia is teeming with neophytes which do not care an iota about fundamental issues of paramount national importance and instead are consumed with trivial matters.

Lately Ethiopia’s political landscape has been roiled by troubling developments, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere.

The people of Ethiopia can live a life of freedom and prosperity insofar as the elite keep themselves in check.

We express our heartfelt condolences on the assassination of the leadership of the Amhara Regional State in the regional capital Bahir Dar and senior military commanders in Addis Ababa on June 22, 2019 and wish solace for their families and the people of Ethiopia.

As the old adage has it to err is human, to forgive divine. None of us are perfect; we make mistakes all the time. The important thing is not to repeat the same mistake.