generic-opinion-graphic-option-2In his historic speech on June 12, 1987, in West Berlin, the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Regan said to the then maverick leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!” And on November 9, 1989, the German Wall was torn down.

By the same token, the Ethiopian people are now asking you, our maverick leader, to tear up the ethnic-based TPLF flag and restore our original flag that all Ethiopians are yearning for. You are observing what is going on with the attachment of our people to our flag during the gathering at Bahir Dar, a 500 feet long tricolor embellishment, and even longer feet flag decoration in other parts of Ethiopia.  Ethiopians are proud of their flag. Many peaceful demonstrators in the Oromo, Amhara, and other regions of Ethiopian were killed by the TPLF’s snipers for waving and wearing the original flag of Ethiopia.

Our flag is our unifier and identifier. Is it not a piece of rug or a useless cloth as the late disgraced Meles Zenawi once vilified it in public. I will leave it to the historians about the origin of our flag. Regardless of its date of origin, our flag has been our symbol of unity, banner of Victory at the battle of Adowa, and pride of independence for centuries.  Our brave forefathers/mothers had paid their lives, spilled their bloods, and shattered their bones for our cherished flag. It is the mark of our harmony and the sign of our territorial integrity. We owe it to our brave forefathers and to our late peaceful fighters/demonstrators, martyrs, to restore our original beloved tricolor flag.

Dear Prime Minister, n your less than 100 days of leadership, you are propelling with unprecedent revolutionary actions. you have stunned not only Ethiopians but also our neighboring countries and the world. I can’t even attempt to enumerate the prolific changes you initiated and the acclamations you received. You went extra miles, beyond everybody’s expectations, and caught all Ethiopians by surprise. You are a stardom and a dynamic leader. You are a unifier, magnanimous, and a genuine son of Ethiopia.  You demonstrated the love for your country and earned the respect of your people. Every change-loving Ethiopian is praying for your safety and wishing for your success.

Since nothing seems to be impossible to you now, and because you listen and feel the pulses and heartbeats of the Ethiopian people, restoring our original precious flag should be one of your top priorities in your agenda.

Long live Ethiopia.

The writer can be reached at: [email protected]

 

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