Traditional values help to restore peace

This is a story about an elderly who was displaced from Fantalle District four years ago. He was born and brought up in the District. At young age he had revolutionary idea to fight for equality, justice and freedom. During the Dirgue regime he allied with dissidents of the time like Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa and Waaqo Guutuu, persons who had political influence. He was detained and later sentenced for life by the regime. His name is Waariyoo Saaldaa Biiftuu.

Waariyoo Saaldaa later settled in his place of origin – Fantalle District – where he used to own cattle, camels, sheep and farmland. The farm plots were at two separate locations, Nuuraa Eeraa with residential house and Fantalle Ilaalaa. It means he led peaceful life with resources of more than self-sufficiency. Unexpectedly, he was displaced exposed to seek for helping hands at an age he needed utmost care.

He says Community members fought each other taking sides the circumstance he associated with his elder son and the younger fighting each other. Waariyoo Saaldaa explained the situation using Oromo maxim that state “In a kraal where two bulls fight the cow doesn’t conceive”. It means fighting within a community is contagious that affects stability and peaceful existence. The violence led to distraction of property with apparent displacement of members of the community. Waariyoo, a frail old man too was displaced when his residence and other properties were burned down. He apparently sheltered with relatives and friends in Adaama City.

He relates the fight within a community to committing sin. According to him the family of the person who killed would continue committing the sin. It is said, “Blood is on his hands”. In the Oromo tradition, the killer continues to kill thus labelled ‘outcast’ (Nama raagaa) unless some kind of ritual was performed to accept into the community. There is repentance and remorse procedure among the Oromo which is resolved through the ritual called Gumaa which is part of the Gadaa System. But now due to violent conflicts such social institutions and norms deteriorated badly, he explained.

Waariyoo Saaldaa complained that there was no institution to file complaints. The command post cannot pass verdict whereas he is a crippled old man with lame leg who had to be helped by the community. He says when young he took part in struggle for equality, foredoom, Justice and Human Rights for the benefit of the community.

Waariyoo Saaldaa emphasizes the importance of devotion. He asserts the responsibility to pray for deliverance. He would pray for the restoration of peace to all humanity. It is when peace prevails that people live in unity and harmony regardless of their different background. The role of traditional values too have a share for harmonious life of communities.

Indeed restoration of peace, respect and fulfilment of human rights, exercise of the rule of law and institutionalized good governance demand commitment of all citizens. Protection of public resources demand restoration of peace. It was because of the violence that Matahara Sugar Factory was devastated forgetting small private farm plots. Those who administer the public should first think of how the country could be at peace while those in arms elsewhere should come to terms with their conscious to give chance to peace.