ADDIS ABABA– Government and concerned institutions need to create timely access to information regarding Abbay dam to stay competitive with other media outlets, so stressed the Ethiopian Institute for Public Diplomacy (EIPD) founder and president.
In an interview with The Ethiopian Herald, EIPD Founder and President Yasin Ahmed Bagay highlighted that as an Ethiopian media activists around the world, in the West, and in Arab countries, there is a need to have quick and useful information.
“Sometimes, I receive statements from the Egyptian Foreign Minister or Arab media regarding events in Ethiopia. We often have to wait 24, 48, or even 72 hours to hear from our own government or ministers.”
As to him, the delay is problematic, especially when we (activists) are invited to speak on Arabic media since they are informed quickly about statements or comments made by Egypt or Sudan, and they ask for Ethiopia’s opinions.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian activists struggle to find any official statements in Amharic, English, or Arabic. “This puts us at a disadvantage when providing analysis or commentary,” he emphasized.
“While we are not official representatives of the Ethiopian government, our insights are valuable and can help shape public opinion and reduce conflicts until official statements are released. This challenge is significant, and we need quicker access to information to stay competitive with Arabic media,” he underscored.
He went on saying: “When I visit news outlets like Al Jazeera, I often find that there is no official response from our government, but I still provide my perspective. This lack of information hinders our ability to keep up with the speed of Arabic media.
With regard to misconceptions and fake news about Ethiopia and the project, he mentioned that Abbay dam has created an opportunity to correct misconceptions and fake news about Ethiopia and the project.
Moreover, it allowed Ethiopia to be introduced to every Arab household, thereby increasing awareness and understanding of our country. This publicity can be used to strengthen Ethiopia’s relationship with the Arabic world, culturally, socially, economically, and in terms of security, he added.
While it is now widely acknowledged that Ethiopia is the source of the Nile, the challenge lies in changing the Egyptian narrative that the Abbay dam will reduce water flow to Sudan and Egypt.
The reality is that the dam will primarily generate electricity, not affect irrigation practices. Egypt has already adjusted its policies regarding water usage due to the Abbay dam, showing a willingness to adapt to the new geopolitical landscape, said the President.
“As a media professional, it is important to recognize the difference between propaganda in the media and the actions taken by the Egyptian government. While the media may use the Abbay dam to distract from domestic challenges, the government is actively preparing for the changes that will come with the completion of the project.”
Cooperation between Egypt and Ethiopia is essential, as Ethiopia has every right to proceed with the Abbay dam under international law and agreements.Public diplomacy would play vital role in this regard. It complements official diplomacy and can significantly contribute to Ethiopia’s development, Yasin added.
Expressing hisdelight by recent developments, such as the establishment of public diplomacyinitiatives within the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, he stressed that the move underscores the importance ofgovernment support for public diplomacy efforts.
“By showcasing the new Ethiopia and moving away from outdated narratives, we aim to promote Ethio-prosperity and regional cooperation,” he said.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2024
