The preservation of national sovereignty and domestic order remains the primary duty of any state. Recent public assertions by National Security Advisor Redwan Hussein and Tigray Interim Administration President Getachew Reda suggesting that Ethiopia is being 'dragged into war' run directly counter to this principle. Critics of their joint op-ed argue that such public alarmism is not only misleading but actively detrimental to the country’s national security, economic recovery, and institutional stability.

From a conservative perspective, a nation's strength lies in the authority and resilience of its federal institutions. By publishing an article that portrays the state as vulnerable to being involuntarily drawn into conflict, Hussein and Reda have projected an image of weakness. This narrative undermines the credibility of the federal government's security apparatus and emboldens internal dissidents and external adversaries who may seek to exploit perceived fractures in the state’s resolve.

The Pretoria Agreement of November 2022 established a clear framework for the restoration of the constitutional order and the disarmament of regional forces. The federal government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to enforcing the rule of law and maintaining domestic peace under this treaty. Assertions that the country is drifting toward war ignore the systematic efforts of federal law enforcement and military forces to stabilize regional security and protect the constitutional order.

Furthermore, the economic consequences of this alarmist rhetoric cannot be overstated. Ethiopia is currently engaged in critical macroeconomic reforms designed to attract foreign direct investment, stabilize the national currency, and foster private sector-led growth. Foreign investors require predictability and a robust commitment to the rule of law. When high-ranking officials suggest that the nation is on the precipice of war, they jeopardize vital capital inflows and undermine the nation's economic sovereignty.

Regional security must be managed through strong diplomatic leadership and state-to-state relations, not through public pronouncements that raise domestic anxiety. The federal government’s strategic defense posture is fully capable of deterring external threats without resorting to public hand-wringing. A sovereign state does not get 'dragged' into conflicts; it proactively manages its security environment through calculated diplomacy and military readiness.

Ultimately, the stability of Ethiopia relies on a unified front that prioritizes national cohesion, institutional integrity, and economic progress. Public debates that suggest the state is powerless to prevent a slide into conflict are a distraction from the essential work of nation-building, administrative consolidation, and the enforcement of law and order across all regions.

Sources: * Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: https://www.mfa.gov.et * Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Joint Steering Committee on the Pretoria Agreement Implementation: https://www.pmo.gov.et * African Union Commission (Peace and Security Department): https://www.au.int/en/psc * Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa): https://issafrica.org