(By Henok H.)     On Sunday Ethiopian Christians will celebrate Easter, locally called Fasika. When Fasika finally arrives, the atmosphere across Ethiopia is electric with anticipation and jubilation. In the ancient and deeply spiritual land of Ethiopia, the faithful eagerly await the arrival of Fasika, or Easter, each year. This holiest of occasions, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, holds profound cultural and religious significance for Ethiopians. It is a time when the entire nation collectively embraces the values of rebirth, forgiveness, and unity – virtues that lie at the very heart of the Fasika celebration. The weeks leading up to Fasika are marked by a solemn period of fasting and repentance known as the Lenten season. During Lent, believers often engage in acts of self-discipline, prayer, repentance, and fasting. The purpose is to reflect on one's spiritual life, seek forgiveness for sins, and draw closer to God. The Lenten season is seen as a time of spiritual purification and renewal before the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On top of that , for Ethiopians, Easter, is a celebration that resonates far beyond its religious significance. This holiest of occasions for Ethiopian Christians is a powerful catalyst for family gathering, togetherness, social cohesion, and resolving conflicts through open dialogue. As families and communities come together in joyous celebration, the spirit of Fasika offers a profound opportunity to foster healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation on both a personal and national level. As families come together to share meals, exchange gifts, and engage in communal prayers and hymns, they are reminded of the unbreakable bonds that transcend any temporary misunderstandings or grievances. The emphasis on forgiveness and letting go of grudges inspires individuals to address their differences, seek mutual understanding, and rebuild broken relationships, thereby promoting harmony and peace within the family unit. At the heart of the Fasika celebration lies a powerful message of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is a time when families and communities come together, setting aside past grievances and embracing one another with open arms. The act of sharing a communal meal, carries immense symbolic weight. As families and friends gather around a single platter, partaking in the same meal, they are reminded of the unbreakable bonds that transcend any temporary conflicts or misunderstandings. Promoting Family Gathering, Togetherness, and Conflict Resolution One of the most cherished traditions of Fasika (Ethiopian Easter) is the act of family gathering. Loved ones, whether living under the same roof or scattered across different regions, make a concerted effort to reunite and strengthen their familial bonds. The festival provides a conducive environment for resolving family conflicts and problems through open and honest discussions, guided by the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation that are central to the Fasika celebration. This spirit of forgiveness and unity is not limited to the personal sphere; it extends to the very fabric of Ethiopian society. Fasika serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation on a national scale. The holiday's emphasis on setting aside differences and embracing one another as brothers and sisters resonates deeply with the Ethiopian people, who have endured their fair share of societal divisions and conflicts throughout history. Harnessing Fasika's Spirit for National Dialogue and Reconciliation Ethiopia has been engaged in several of activities aiming to bring a lasting peace and sustainable development in the country. Considering the fact that peace, coexistence and reconciliation are crucial for the overall national development, Ethiopians are now about to begin consultation with a view to create national consensus on common issues through an inclusive national dialogue. The establishment of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission represents a beacon of hope, aiming to promote inclusive dialogue, mediation, and national unity. The values embodied by the sacred Fasika celebration offer a powerful guiding force for the work of this Commission. Just as families and communities come together during Fasika to heal rifts and strengthen bonds, so too can the diverse groups of Ethiopia engage in open and honest dialogue, guided by the principles of forgiveness, empathy, and a shared commitment to the nation's well-being. By drawing upon the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Fasika, Ethiopia can harness the transformative power of this ancient celebration to foster genuine reconciliation and unity among its people. The holiday's emphasis on rebirth and renewal can inspire a renewed commitment to addressing past injustices, cultivating mutual understanding, and building an inclusive society where all Ethiopians feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to the nation's growth and prosperity. The joyous sounds of Fasika celebrations echo across the country, serving as a resounding reminder of the resilience, faith, and unwavering spirit that has sustained the Ethiopian people through centuries of triumphs and challenges. It is a time when the nation comes together, not just to commemorate a pivotal moment in Christian history but also to reaffirm the enduring values of forgiveness, unity, and collective progress – virtues that lie at the heart of Fasika and can guide Ethiopia towards a more harmonious future. By embracing the essence of Ethiopian Easter (Fasika) and leveraging its rich cultural heritage, Ethiopia can forge a path towards genuine national reconciliation, where diverse groups engage in constructive dialogue, address historical grievances, and work together towards a shared vision of peace, prosperity, and unity in diversity. The dialogue that involves all segments of the society with a view to resolving centuries old predicaments that the country is facing, heal resentments and wounds caused during the heinous acts of previous political systems. In this regard, the government has been showing strong commitment to the successful conduct of the dialogue that aims at correcting major fault lines paving the way for creating consensus on basic national issues to the 120 million peoples. Moreover, the government has demonstrated that this nation is common home for the citizenry. To this effect, the government engaged leaders and members of other political parties into the state nomenclature, which is a new political departure in the history of Ethiopia.  

In addition to serving as Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa is significant to African politics and diplomacy. Along with the embassies of many nations throughout the world, the city is home to the headquarters of important international organizations like the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Recognizing the importance of Addis Ababa, not only for its residents but also for the international diplomatic community, the government has been dedicated to improving the city's livability for its millions of inhabitants and the staff of various international organizations. Through collaboration between the Addis Ababa city administration and the federal government, a series of measures have been undertaken to transform the city into a cutting-edge, smart metropolis. Over the past few years, Addis Ababa has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the initiative led by Prime Minister Abiy to enhance the city's aesthetics. The efforts have borne fruit, with the creation of world-class parks and museums that have greatly supported the country's tourism sector. Notable achievements include Unity Park, Entoto Park, Friendship Park, the Science Museum, the National Palace Museum, and the Adwa Memorial Museum, which have added to the city's allure for both residents and visitors. In addition to these accomplishments, the government has intensified its collaboration with the private sector to further elevate Addis Ababa's status as the political capital of Africa and a hub for influential international organizations. One such project is the corridor development initiative, aimed at elevating the city’s stand global smart city standards. Rebuilding slum areas, renovating and improving infrastructure facilities such as integrated drainage systems and utilities, as well as expanding of roads to handle increased traffic, building roomy walkways for pedestrians, repairing historic buildings, and modernizing structures to conform to the city's aesthetic standards to improve the living conditions of citizens. As part of the city's continued development activities, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently announced another significant project. He has launched a campaign to revolutionize public sanitation infrastructure, envisioning modern, hygienic, and inclusive restroom facilities across urban areas. The campaign, named "Clean Streets and Healthy Livelihood," places community engagement at its core and aligns with a broader commitment to creating cities that cater to the needs of all citizens. Prime Minister Abiy has called upon Ethiopians to join hands in building cities that prioritize cleanliness and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of collective effort. This campaign builds upon the Prime Minister's transformative endeavors during his six-year tenure, which have focused on improving urban environments and public amenities. The campaign dubbed “clean streets and healthy livelihood,” is closely linked to the beautification of Addis Ababa, the greening of the city, the road corridor development project, and the ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure. “As we embark on this new initiative, I call upon all Ethiopians to contribute their share in creating cities that are conducive for everyone,” he posted on X. The campaign which could be launched in regional cities as well is closely connected to the beautification of Addis Ababa and greening the city along with road corridor development project and rehabilitation of infrastructures currently underway in the city. For many decades, Addis Ababa has lacked standardized public restrooms and sanitary services, often leading residents to resort to unsanitary alternatives in isolated corners. The project aims to provide the public with standardized restrooms and sanitation facilities and is financed through donations from the general public, individual donors, and institutions and companies that have enthusiastically embraced the Prime Minister's initiative. The project is expected to provide residents with access to public sanitation services in a more dignified manner, reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and related health hazards. Over time, it may also create employment opportunities for those in need and serve as a source of income generation for the unemployed. This project is also an integral part of the green legacy initiative, which contributes to various ecotourism projects and park developments that are already modernizing Addis Ababa's landscape. To ensure the sustainability of the project and create a vibrant and healthy environment for the public to enjoy the benefits of improved sanitation, it is essential to emphasize the importance of public participation and organized development. As efforts to secure funds for the project, a telethon has been launched last week by the premier. The fundraising activity can serve as a showcase for the significance of cooperation and mutual concern in improving the health and beautification of cities across the country. The general public and individual companies have been actively participating in the telethon.