13/12/2021
Today, December 13, 2021 marks the 18th Years anniversary of the brutal massacre of 424 Anuak in Gambella, Ethiopia by the TPLF/EPRDF Defense Forces and some other pro-TPLF militia groups.
Not just the families of the victims, but all Anuak and other Ethiopian, will forever remember that dark day that brought so many pains, tears and suffering.
Remembering December 13th: A Day For All of Us!
The painful wounds from those losses will be reopened as many Anuak throughout Ethiopia and in the Diaspora observe the 18 years memorial of this genocide that took place in Gambella.
Many of the Anuak families of these victims still do not know where the bodies of their family members are buried. As of today, no one has been brought to justice for committing these crimes. The remaining widows, children and orphans in Gambella live with traumatic memories that can be replayed like an old movie by simply closing their eyes. Yet, life must go on for the living.
As they try to cope, I ask that other caring people remember them in their thoughts and prayers as they face this reminder of this darkest of all days for the Anuak people. Yet, what we have learned during these 18 years is that the Anuak are not alone in their suffering; their fellow Ethiopians are being subjected to harassment, intimidation, oppression and gross human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing, all over the country.
I suggest that this date might provide a time when all of us—Ethiopians, Africans, and other human beings—can not only grieve for our past losses, but also one when we can face up to what human beings have done to other human beings, resolving to do our part to create a different world around us that promotes love, peace and respect between people.
This Memorial Day of December 13th, should not only be a day to remember the Anuak, but to also remember all those who have similarly lost their lives.
When you remember this day, remind yourself of your responsibility to care and protect others like those who cared and protected you when you first came from the womb. We are created to both give and to receive such love. It is simple, but can cause tremendous change to our society if many of us do this.
Let December 13th become a day when we renew our commitment to do so. May it be a day when relationships are healed. If you have hated or wronged someone, ask for forgiveness. If someone inflicted pain, do not think that hatred or revenge will take you anywhere but right back into the same misery we have been overcome by for so many years.
December 13th can be a day of giving love, peace, respect and hope for the future while we recall the shame of the past. Let us grieve with the Anuak and all other Ethiopians who have so greatly suffered.
Let us remember our responsibility in making an Ethiopia where people live in harmony, with love, rather than with hatred towards others. Let us work hard to bring about peace.
May God bless those Anuak who are alone and grieving today as they remember their husband, father, mother, son, daughter or other loved one.
May the Almighty guide us all Ethiopians and give us the wisdom to free our souls, our minds, our communities and our beloved country.
Long Live ETHIOPIA