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Failure of Ethiopians

By Drs. G. Hailu (December 9, 2002)

For many of us the chronic famine and draught we have in Ethiopia has to do with the failure of the last couple of generations (including the present one) that could not cop up with the natural as well as social and economic development changes in the world. But very few really realize that we are in real danger of being extinct while the facts are very vivid. One only have to remember the situation of our country during the last decade only, to realize this. Look at many AID patients and hungry people we have in Ethiopia At this right moment 30% of our population is infected with HIV virus and 20% of the population in famine. This makes 50% of our population are dangered. Now try to imagine what will happen if we don't do anything to stop this malaise. Would it be exaggeration if we say we are really in danger of being extinct in the near furure? No, I don't think so. This is a simple fact.

If that is not enough to convince us the danger we are in, let me share with you my frustration about the failure of us, Ethiopians. We Ethiopians have failed in many things so far.

  • We have failed to cop up with the natural as well as social development changes taking place in the world.
  • We have failed to conquer ignorance. We have let it dominate the country.
  • We have failed to respect our educated population. Instead we admire others.
  • We have failed to communicate with our professionals correctly. Instead we make pressure on them to do against their wish.
  • We have failed to keep the educated people at home. Many have abandoned the country. Many are ready to follow them.
  • We have failed to get united at heart and have lost trust of one another. Read your heart to justify it.
  • We have failed to live in peace and harmony and failed to avoid war.
  • We have failed to respect our indigenous farming skills, instead we undermine them.
  • We have failed to stop the famine, and have become dependent on others for our survival.
  • We have failed to conquer draught, while the country is rich in water resources.
  • We have failed to stop AIDS (don't forget there are a lot more fatal diseases as well).
  • We have failed to understand and accept one another as we are, instead we let antagonism flourish.
  • We have failed to understand our failures, instead we keep telling about our old good history.
  • Not only did we fail, we are not even trying to come nearer to the solution either.
  • At present, we have 15 million people endangered by famine, may be another 10 million AIDS patients. These total to nearly 50% of our population. In the coming 10 years this may go up to 75%.

    For me, these are the problems, and there are a lot more, that we have got to deal with if we want to win famine. If we let these failures continue, then, I am afraid, we are in a real danger of being extinct from that country in the near future.