ETHIOPIAN: ‘Involve the People in the Reconciliation Process’, Cardinal Berhaneyesus urges Ethiopia and Eritrea Leaders

AMECEA Chairman H.E. Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, C.M., has commended the new steps for peace and dialogue taken by the Ethiopian and Eritrean Governments and urged that the stakeholders to ensure that justice and peace are restored and the peoples of the two countries are involved in the process and their voices heard.

In his Homily during the Holy Mass to mark the official opening of the 19^th AMECEA Plenary Assembly on 15 July, Cardinal Berhaneyesus expressed joy at the coming together of the two Ethiopia and Eritrea Leaders, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afworki respectively while saying that the steps taken by them show that Africans have the wisdom to solve their own problems; they are proving that solutions are in their hands for which AMECEA Countries can also learn.

“Today, the leaders of the two nations—Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afworki—together with their people, announce here in Addis Ababa the era of peace, reconciliation, love and forgiveness. Filled with gratitude, we, together with the people of the two nations, give thanks to God as we pray at this place. May it be a genuine and lasting reconciliation!” he wished.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus however expressed regret that many people have been displaced, wounded and forced into exile because of the conflict adding that it was a source of lamentation, sorrow and regret for many. “We thank God today with exultation, because the wall of hatred created by the war is being demolished and the brotherly bridge of love is being built. The Ethiopia-Eritrean conflict in particular has caused loss of many lives. Ethiopian Catholics and the people of East Africa have been praying over the last four years for the preparation of this plenary and for the peace and unity of Eastern Africa. This is the main of fruit of our prayer; let us be glad for The Lord has heard our prayers and has shown us this marvelous day,” he said.

He revealed that the reason why Ethiopia and Eritrea had been unable to resolve the conflict that has parted them for the past 20 years is because they neglected the wisdom of agreement, reconciliation and forgiveness they had developed over many years adding that in contrary, they opted to pursue the modern political means that considers only the give-and-take philosophy, a process that he says continues to claim lives of South Sudanese and Somalians.

“The political leaderships that make worse these and other problems we see in our respective countries in order to gain political benefits by destroying unity, diversity and trust of people do not profit anyone. This only preserves the power of individuals and political parties for a certain time. All of us can bear witness to the catastrophe we have experienced as result of such ill-mannered political approach,” he said.

His Eminence who is hopeful for a better future said that, during the last three years, Ethiopia has particularly experienced fear, worry, ethnic based conflicts and sorrow for loss of human lives. Many people have been displaced. “Despite their sufferings, however, the political changes we see today in our nation are giving hope to many people. We are walking towards unity and communion, and we thank God for hearing our prayers,” Cardinal Berhaneyesus said.

He said that the Church shall not embrace racial, ethnic, gender and linguistic differences affirming that the Church is basically made up of members from various cultures, tribes, languages and color and that her leaders come from the people who are followers of one faith.

Meanwhile, His Eminence expressed his sorrow on the fact that, Eastern Africa Region is unable to feed its own children, leaving them to suffer from hunger and forcing them into death, displacement, loss of property due to inter-ethnic conflicts. “Abject poverty, unemployment, lack of justice and peace, lack of good governance, abuse of power, theft (corruption), endless war and violations of human rights, displacement, humiliation and persecution of citizens; lack of mutual understanding between leaders and citizens, lack of rule of law and democratic principles, pursuit of personal interest and others have become agenda setters of the global news,” he said.

He appealed to all government and religious leaderships, civil society, elders and all people of good will to work together for Eastern Africa Region to become a land on which the rain of love falls, where citizens are respected, live in peace and joy, get satisfied and thank their Creator and a place where justice reigns and no one is left out because of his/her identity.

~End~

By Rose Achiego