In this modern age where bilateral and multilateral affairs are dealt with through diplomatic means and on give and take basis, it is difficult to rely on military might to secure ones interest. Yet, in case regional and global threats are flaring up it is good to preempt them before they pose threat.
The Ethiopian National Defense Forces are also formed and managed with such stance and mentality. At this political juncture in which some neighboring countries have joined hands in conducting proxy war on the country to prevent Ethiopia’s legitimate access to ports and the Red Sea, the ENDF has proved to be a pillar of ensuring the national interest of the country and its pathway to sustainable development.
As stated above, the ENDF adheres to safeguarding the constitution of the country and promoting collective security in the Horn of Africa and defending the rule of law at the national level.
The ENDF is effectively discharging its professional and constitutional responsibilities and citizens here and overseas are expected to render the necessary respect for the valorous and democratic army whose members are paying for the peace and unity of the country by shedding their blood and flesh and their lives for the peaceful development of the country.
It is shameful and regrettable to observe that some media houses, particularly social media outlets are busy trying to defame the most respected and globally recognized army that has continued to be a pace setter in global peace keeping missions and ensuring the rule of law in the country. By insulting the ENDF which is a multi-ethnic army, these media houses are indirectly expressing their disrespect for the entire people of Ethiopia in the name of democracy and freedom of speech.
The Ethiopian defense forces are a productive army that is engaged in almost all sectors of the socio-economic development of the country and in all sector development programs including education, technology, infrastructure development, health services, agriculture and food security, creative arts of all kinds, sports competitions, disaster risk management, scientific research programs, gender and development and a host of other activities that clearly depict its societal base.
In areas where the ENDF is deployed local people always felt a sense of security and stability they enjoyed due to the presence of the army.
Enforcing the rule of law in cooperation with other security forces in the country is a major sphere of activity in which the ENDF is engaged. This is important because without sustained internal and external peace, development and integrated international cooperation is unthinkable.
Speaking on the occasion of a Conference of African Defense Ministers recently held in Addis Ababa, the Minister of Defense of Ethiopia, Ahysha Ahmed noted that the ENDF is spearheading in promoting the cooperation between the defense forces of Africa and noted that “As we convene today, we are acutely aware of the many security challenges that confront our continent, from the threat of terrorism and insurgencies to the rise of organized crime and human trafficking, from the growing threat of cyber-attacks to the enduring impact of political instability and economic hardship.”
Africa’s security environment has become more complex than ever before she said, adding “but in this complexity lies our opportunity to strengthen our cooperation, to share knowledge and to build the resilience of our nations.”
The objective of any kind of African defense cooperation needs to focus on defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country but also safeguarding regional peace and stability from any kind of foreign or mercenary aggression.
The entire history of the ENDF shows that it has never been engaged in any kind of aggression or violation of the sovereignty of any state across the world but every historian in the world knows that due to her strategic location, Ethiopia was time and again subjected to foreign aggression.
The Egyptian propaganda and desperate policy of containment on Ethiopia is not happening for the first time in the history of the Horn of Africa as Egypt has always attempted to weaken Ethiopia through unwarranted aggressions which were always repulsed by the Ethiopian defense forces.
Some social media money bags are loafing and giggling that the ENDF is composed of a single ethnic group trying to drum up on an old misconception which is aimed at spreading false information on the ethnic mix of the organization. The ENDF is a perfect representation of the needs, interests’ values and historical tradition of the people of Ethiopia which nobody can deny.
The ENDF has been supporting national reintegration efforts of internally displaced persons and those who were forced to leave their original domiciles due to natural calamities. The future is bright for the Ethiopian defense forces.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2024
