By Tsega Menkir
If you find yourself unable to keep up with the fitness fanatic, humble, charismatic, caring and visionary Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed, then you are not alone. Like yours truly, anyone who follows the day to day events of Ethiopia’s politicking, it is not an understatement to say that we are cruising through a very fast lane of political power change.
Dr Abiy Ahmed who came to prominence in Ethiopian politics, with a hard row to hoe, had a lot of work cut out for him before he even got there. He had the 27 years of ethnic tensions, web of deceit, antagonising hate, endemic corruption, religious disputes and divisive politics to sort out. But he has been doing it in style so far; that shifted the political paradigm to the ecstasy of Ethiopians.
The mesmerising first three months was a renaissance to Ethiopians, which gave them hope instead of despair and warmed up their hearts to the new God-send leader; the month of July, was the mensis mirabilis to be recorded in Ethiopian history books.
July started with unannounced and surprising trip by Dr Abiy to Asmara, the Eritrean capital; which laid down the ground work for the political matrimony of the two nations, which were once arch foes. It paved the way for the blossoming of bromance between the leaders of the two nations, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and President Esayas Afeworki of Eritrea. Their natural likening of each other and body chemistry affirmed to the citizens of the two nations that it was real McCoy and a match made in heaven.
The speed with which the peace deal was made has taken not only Ethiopians and Eritreans but also the whole world by surprise. Consequently, the war that had stalemated for years came to an abrupt end and normalcy of relations resumed right away to the delight of millions of Eritreans as well as Ethiopians. Their peace efforts earned them both a recognition by the crown prince of UAE, who awarded them the highest medal of the emirates kingdom.
Furthermore, the citizens of the two nations have shown their happiness, pleasure and love for one another, by turning out in droves to rejoice, first in Asmara to welcome Dr Abiy Ahmed, then later in Addis Ababa upon the reciprocated visit by the Eritrean President Esayas Afeworki, to his country of birth, Ethiopia.
Then came the three cities trip to the United States of America by ‘Team Lemma’, a reformist group named after President of Oromia, Lemma Megersa, who initiated the reform that entrusted Dr Abiy Ahmed as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and head of the reform’s vision that has taken Ethiopia and Ethiopians all over the world on a roller coaster ride of hope, change and elation.
The three cities trip, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, was themed ‘knocking down walls and building bridges’ has accomplished its mission. The event has seen the gathering of tens of thousands of Ethiopians in diaspora, some of whom travelled from others cities and queued for hours just to be in the same hall as ‘Team Lemma’ in order to be a part of their visionary leaders dream and pledge their allegiance to the team ( ለመደመር ).
The crowd in those cities that team Lemma visited was energetic, enthusiastic and ecstatic. At no time in Ethiopian history, has an Ethiopian leader been warmly received by Diasporas abroad and won the hearts and minds of Ethiopians simultaneously both at home and abroad. As it is customary to his awesomeness, Dr Abiy, brought with him in the same plane, the 4th patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, his grace Abune Merkorios, who was forcefully exiled in USA for the last 27; and by the same token ended up unifying the church’s synod, that was separated from its mother church.
Now back from his trip, with a lot of political capital that can only be an envy to any leader. Some analysts advise him to flex his muscles and expect to see his biting teeth. But so far, he won millions of hearts and minds through love and forgiveness but whether it is going to be sustainable forever remains to be seen. However, If the last couple of months and especially the mensis mirabilis – July is any evidence, he has a lot of magical touches under his sleeves to surprise us by. Therefore, the least we can do is assist team Lemma, and grease the wheel of change to create another mensis mirabilis.
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