Ethiopian culture is replete with traditional proverbs about life. These adages are used to encourage hard-working folks, laud do-gooders, motivatestragglers and chide wrong doers.

Ethiopia’s very survival is anchored in the prevalence of sustainable peace and democracy. These ideals cannot be realized just because its people say they want to; they require an unwavering commitment.

The type of tumultuous change Ethiopia is currently undergoing is bound to be fraught with grave challenges. Nonetheless, Ethiopians need to reflect seriously where they want their beloved nation is headed if lawlessness slowly sets in on account of the government’s inability to uphold the rule of law.

The horrendous events that transpired in eastern Ethiopia the previous weekend have grave political ramifications for the whole of Ethiopia. The mind-numbing killing, maiming and vandalizing of the properties of innocent compatriots in the Somali regional state constitute one of the darkest chapters in Ethiopia’s recent history.

A country which is not a nation of laws is bound to be riven by conflict. This is particularly true when the country happens to be in the midst of a political transition. Nowadays the constant headlines about conflicts, death and destruction in different parts of Ethiopia are unsettling its people.

A surefire way of extricating Ethiopia from the centuries-old quagmire it’s mired in is to develop a set of thinking befitting the times and is anchored in the national interest.

Ethiopia is presently undergoing a transition in its history the likes of which it has rarely experienced. Its citizens must contribute their share if the transition is to be peaceful, democratic and institutionalized.

There is a saying that goes, “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host.”  It’s the responsibility of this generation to erase decades of hatred and vindictiveness with love and forgiveness.

Any observer following contemporary Ethiopian politics appreciates that the future holds welcome opportunities.

First we would like to express our condolences on the death of two compatriots following a grenade attack during the massive rally held at Meskel Square on June 23 in the center of Addis Ababa to show appreciation and support for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).