By: Staff Contributor
You know, sometimes I just sit and think about Tigray. That land, our land, where everything started with the Axumite Empire. It feels like just yesterday we were learning about those incredible kings and the monuments they left behind. And now, when I think of Tigray, there's this ache in my chest. We've seen too much pain, too much fighting. That little bit of peace we have right now? It feels so fragile, like a precious glass we have to hold onto with everything we've got. For Tigray, for all of Ethiopia, we just can't let it slip away. We have to stand together, every single one of us, no matter where we come from, and wrap our arms around our Tigrayan brothers and sisters to make sure no more blood is spilled. Because honestly, what good ever comes from war?
I've heard the stories, you know? The kind that stick with you, the kind that make your stomach churn. People losing everything, families torn apart, kids growing up knowing nothing but fear. That's the real face of conflict, not some glorious battle you read about in books. It's just raw pain. And the thought of Tigray going through that again? It breaks my heart. They've already carried so much weight on their shoulders. We can't just stand by and let it happen again.
Think about what peace actually means, though. It's not just about the guns being quiet. It's about having the chance to actually live, to build something. When there's peace, kids can go to school without worrying. Doctors and nurses can focus on healing people instead of treating war wounds. We can actually start building roads, fixing schools, creating jobs. That's the kind of growth that really matters, the kind that lifts everyone up. When Tigray thrives, Ethiopia thrives. It's as simple as that. But when there's fighting, all that gets put on hold, doesn't it? Everything just grinds to a halt, and we all suffer for it.
This isn't just a Tigray problem, you know? It's an Ethiopia problem. We're all connected, like one big family. When one part of the family is hurting, we all feel it. So, standing with Tigrayans, wanting peace for them, it's not some kind of favor. It's about looking out for ourselves, for our future as a nation. We need to remember that we're all Ethiopians first, before anything else. That shared identity that shared history, that's what should guide us, what should make us want to protect each other.
And let's not forget where we come from, the incredible history of Tigray. That's where it all began for us as Ethiopians! The Axumite Empire, those amazing obelisks, the stories of ancient kings – that's our heritage, all of ours. To even imagine a future where Tigrayans might not be there, where that part of our history could be lost, it's just… unthinkable. It would be a disgrace to everything Ethiopia stands for, to all the sacrifices our ancestors made.
My message, especially to the young people out there, the ones who are going to shape our future, is this: please, just take a breath. Think for yourselves. Don't let anyone fill your heads with anger and hate. Emotions can be powerful, but they can also lead us down the wrong path. Remember that the people who start these fights, the factions, they might eventually sit down and make up. But who pays the real price? It's always the ordinary people, the ones just trying to live their lives. They're the ones who suffer the most, and the pain can last for years, even generations.
So, if you're a Tigrayan who loves your country, who loves your people, please choose peace. I know it might not feel easy, especially after everything that's happened. But believe me, war is never the answer. It just brings more pain, more destruction. Peace might be a long road, but it's the only one that leads to a better future, a future where your children and grandchildren can grow up without fear, where they can celebrate their culture and their history with pride.
Let's all choose peace. Let's stand with Tigray, not just in our words, but in our hearts and in our actions. Because when Tigray is at peace, Ethiopia is stronger. And that's what we all want, isn't it? A strong, peaceful, and prosperous Ethiopia for all of us.