A Tribute to the Ethiopian Defense Forces

Words are sometimes simply not enough to express events. There are times when words do not work together in congruence with the mind to bring out the emotions, the radiant happy faces, the thrill of triumph, the agony of loss of a brave compatriot in a line of duty and the expression of eternal gratitude a citizen pays to a defender of a country. 

For days I have been thinking on how to express the joyous and proud moments that I experienced when I heard that the proud daughters and sons of Ethiopia, the gallant Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF) have now started pulling out of Somalia exactly one month – no more no less – to the day they commenced their selfless action to defend the sovereignty, dignity and integrity of this beloved and intriguingly infectious country called Ethiopia.  

In my previous commentary on this war against terrorists, expansionists, irredentists and their backers, I boldly predicted that our young men and women will finish the job and return to their homeland within one month.  As if these marvelous jewels of Ethiopia were set to prove me right, they accomplished their mission within few days of their arrival and true to their conviction and principle they have now started withdrawing after substantially reducing the threat of terror and after helping Somalia have another chance for stability and peaceful governance. 

While we say 'wuoro shebaye' and welcome the heroes and heroines who successfully accomplished their mission and embrace their loved ones, we also express and share the sorrow of mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and all the loved ones of the brave soldiers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. Through their death they have breathed life to their country and people.  

Let eternal glory be to them and let their names and deeds be written in gold colours in the Patriots Squares of Ethiopia! Grateful Ethiopians will never forget their sacrifices 

A few naysayers are now being humiliated and also subdued. Elements that find it hard that political differences and hate mongering are two different animals will continue their usual anti-Ethiopia propaganda. But they have been indeed beaten and defeated and there is no ear that has the patience and the time to listen to them.  In this testing time, Ethiopians of all denominations have come out united and strong.  

Blitzkrieg is the word that some writers use when describing a swift and decisive military movement.  No force rivals the Ethiopian Army when it comes to swiftness and deadliness, and it seems this word has now become the trademark of the Ethiopian Defense Forces. If pride is measured by an act of superior deed, then Ethiopia has earned that pride thanks to its gallant and superb selfless heroes. 

They have given us a reason to once again stand tall in the community of nations.

Why not?

'Experts' and 'analysts' predicted that we will be 'bogged down' in Somalia.  Bad apples amongst us prayed that we become entangled in Somalia so that their narrow wishes of becoming other warlords in a divided Ethiopia come true. Reluctant nations were very much concerned that the 'strong UIC' and its hirelings from all over the world will prove to be a formidable challenge to the Ethiopian Army. Yet, our 'Dejen', the backbones of Ethiopia succeeded in routing the enemy in an incredibly short period of time.   

Our military commanders have succeeded in creating a formidable force.  We extend our great admiration to those commanders in the field and the general command. They have earned our respect and admiration. Your united determination is a lesson that Ethiopian politicians should emulate.  

The independent minded and determined political leadership of the government has to be commended for taking the appropriate action at the appropriate time. It was evident for all to see that UIC elements and their backers were directly infringing upon our sovereignty and aiding and abating subversives who are bent on bringing havoc and uncertainty in our communities in the border areas. 

What are the learnings that particularly we Ethiopians can get from our indomitable united army? Well, it has repeatedly shown us we are capable of achieving a goal that we set for ourselves.  This has to replicate in all areas of our endeavor: economy, public administration and democratization.  Despite political differences, we can achieve great things if we come to our senses and leap forward in our thinking patterns.  

It is the time that all Ethiopians bask in this glorious celebration of triumph.  The skeptics and the naysayers will hopefully come to their senses and appreciate the sacrifices paid by their compatriots defending their country. Let this be a moment of reflection on our part in our commitment for a peaceful, prosperous and strong Ethiopia. 

Glory to our martyrs and a salutation of triumph to our heroic defense forces. We are proud of you.