In the wake of the ongoing development between Somalia and Egypt in the Horn of Africa, people from all sections of the population have been tossing around their standpoints in a number of respects. In the current circumstances, the situation is turning to be a predominant agenda and predominant subject coming in and out of everyone’s mind.
It is envisioned that the present developments of the two nations would move the Horn of Africa region into uncharted waters if they keep on going down the wrong pipe and off the right route.
It is important to keep in mind the fact that Somalia in the immediate present has been going to the ends of the earth to back the Horn of Africa into a corner under the guise of a number of lame reasons that do not reflect the existing reality on the ground. Quite the opposite, Ethiopia still has continued making peace happen in various parts of the continent of Africa regardless of encounters making the most of a diverse range of practical strategies.
Since the earliest time, the country pulled out all the stops to restore peace and tranquility in conflict ridden areas in the Horn of Africa by deploying thousands of well-trained troops to various peacekeeping missions. According to the grapevine, Ethiopia’s peacekeepers missions possess years of experience.
For as long as one can remember Ethiopia has been playing a huge role in enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening institutions that promote peace and stability. It goes without saying that the country has played a significant role in brokering peace in the Horn of Africa.
It is common knowledge that Ethiopia has paid invaluable sacrifice in restoring peace and stability in the region by deploying well-trained troops providing humanitarian assistance and expediting cross boarder mediation.
Whenever problems happen in the Horn of Africa and beyond, the country does not bat an eye to become involved and deal with the matters in an atmosphere of calm, restore peace and tranquility in the region at earliest possible time.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Taye Atsekeselassie called upon governments of Horn of African (HoA) countries to work together to resolve differences peacefully and reclaim lost opportunities for shared growth.
In press briefing he issued recently, the Foreign Minister stressed that Ethiopia highly values the shared history and traditions with its neighboring countries.
To everyone’s dismay, giving the cold shoulder to the unvarnished truth unfolding in the Horn of Africa, Somalia has been bending over backwards to twist Ethiopia’s arm and pose a threat to its people. By any means whatsoever, Somalia cannot make its dream become a reality.
As of the Foreign Minister, certain forces are exacerbating the political and diplomatic differences of Ethiopia and Somalia which he stated that collusion with these “forces hostile to peace in this region is also short-sighted and counterproductive”.
“It is consistent with this conviction that we accepted the facilitation of discussions with the Federal Republic of Somalia, firstly in Nairobi, and as a continuation of that effort, in Ankara. These efforts have made progress and are promising to yield results. These efforts must not be undermined by provocative statements,” he stated.
Somalia should distance itself from this kind of immoral act that can throw a wet blanket on the positive achievements surfacing in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia is concerned that the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission is fraught with dangers to the region. While the African Union and the United Nations are preparing for this transition, the region is entering into uncharted waters, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nebiyu Tedla, stated.
It went on to say repeated calls by Ethiopia and other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) have not been taken seriously. Ethiopia is being expected to ignore hostile statements, and the continued attempt to undermine the sacrifices of Ethiopian defense forces. Ethiopia cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region. Ethiopia is vigilantly monitoring developments in the region that could threaten its national security.
Ethiopia has worked tirelessly for the peace and security of Somalia and the region, for shared growth, and has nurtured the close bonds between the peoples of the region. Ethiopia has also been engaged in facilitated discussions to resolve differences with the Government of Somalia. Tangible progress has been made in these talks. Instead of pursuing these efforts for peace, the Government of Somalia is colluding with external actors aiming to destabilize the region, the statement noted.
All those responsible for preparing and authorizing a new peace support mission must take into account the legitimate concerns of countries of the region and the TCCs. Forces trying to inflame tension for their short-term and futile objectives must shoulder the grave ramifications. Ethiopia cannot tolerate these actions that endanger the gains made against regional and international terrorist groups.
Ethiopia remains committed to the peaceful resolution of differences and to working with the people of Somalia and the international community to avert dangers to the peace and stability of the region, the statement emphasized.
There is no doubt that the Horn of Africa for the most part Somalia for years has been enjoying peace owing to the fact that Ethiopia’s troops have been persistently defending the region from Al-Shabaab.
As the unholy marriage of Egypt and Somalia pose a big threat to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa region as a whole, the two nations should dissociate themselves from this kind of evil act. It is generally recognized that, Ethiopia more than ever before has paid a huge sacrifice for Somalia to restore peace and tranquility.
Ethiopia at different points in time has sent its troops to Somalia for bunch of years with the intention of ensuring peace by shielding people residing in the region from Al-Shabaab attacks.
Some groups that have been working to venture the Horn of Africa into unknown territory should distance themselves from this kind of evil act and leave no stone unturned to address the ongoing predicaments in an atmosphere of calm.
It should be recalled that on the subject of the issue the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) Chief of General Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula in the recent past stated that, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) made unparalleled sacrifices to bring peace to the people of Somalia.
Field Marshal Birhanu added that, the battalion was well-harmonized to the people of Somalia and won their acclaim for its bravery throughout the peacekeeping mission, according to information obtained from local media.
He welcomed a battalion of ENDF which successfully completed its peacekeeping mission under the umbrella of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in Ferfer Woreda of Shebele Zone, Somali State.
Upon receiving the battalion, he emphasized that Ethiopia sent its army to Somalia for several years prior to and following the resolutions passed by the African Union, and paid incalculable price to protect the Somali people from al-Shabaab attacks.
As Egypt’s move will not benefit the Horn of Africa except adding fuel to the flames and plunging into unknown depths, both nations should take into consideration its repercussions before the situation end up going from the deep end to the shallow end and go further and further down the rabbit hole.
Ethiopia come hell or high water does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of Somalia on the ground that the country has full right to enter into a wide spectrum of agreements with any nations worldwide. However, the country will not tolerate if their pacts cause a problem to the security of the country.
As always, Ethiopia will sustain making extraordinary efforts to make peace happen thorough round table discussion for its people and the Horn of Africa.
The African Union and the United Nations must ensure careful deployment of the post- ATMIS forces in Somalia to prevent unnecessary and unexpected regional tensions, taking relevant Security Council resolutions into account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
MoFA has also expressed concern over the upcoming deployment of peacekeeping forces in Somalia. As a neighboring country and a key contributor to regional security and stability, Ethiopia is closely monitoring the situation.
During his biweekly briefing, MoFA Spokesperson emphasized that the countries currently contributing to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) are important stakeholders and should be consulted on future missions.
Regarding Egypt’s interest in deploying its army to Somalia, Ambassador Nebiyu stated that while Somalia, as a sovereign nation, has the right to enter into bilateral agreements with any country, Ethiopia will not compromise if its national security is threatened.
The spokesperson also reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to resolving all diplomatic disputes with the Somalia government peacefully.
Ethiopia’s role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Horn of Africa and beyond has been winning the hearts and minds of the wider international community under the auspicious of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Ambassador Konjit SineGiorgis in the recent past stated that Ethiopia has been putting unwavering effort along with IGAD and AU to safeguard peace and security in the region.
Besides striving to create economic cooperation in the continent, Ethiopia has remained the largest troop contributor to AU and UN peacekeeping missions in Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan and Somalia, she said.
Ethiopia’s contribution to the continent is not limited to its symbolism of freedom, Konjit said, adding that the country also takes the lion’s share in the coming in to force of former OAU now African Union that aimed to rid the continent of colonization and apartheid.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2024
