It is an undeniable fact that since time immemorial, Ethiopia has been showing its unflinching stance to shared development with neighboring nations devoid of interfering in the internal affairs of others. This reality on the ground demonstrates in black and white the country’s vision for regional prosperity and integration.
There is no denying the fact that by placing emphasis on collaboration rather than conflict, Ethiopia has left no stone unturned to set up strong economic and diplomatic relationships with surrounding nations with a focus on developing and growing together.
If truth be told, this is being achieved by realizing that others’ development is necessary in an attempt to achieve sustainable stability and prosperity in the Horn of Africa and beyond at the earliest possible juncture. It is certain that if nations in the Horn of Africa fail to join hands, accomplishing the desired goal will be easier said than done.
By the same token, the aforesaid reality demonstrates the fact that Ethiopia is strongly committed to working hand in glove with its neighbors with the purpose of addressing common challenges and moving to unprecedented heights. In a related move, in the pursuit of access to the seas, Ethiopia has developed the principle of mutual benefit so that whatever terms or arrangements would be in the best interest of all pertinent bodies in the Horn of Africa.
As Ethiopia strongly believes in living in harmony and peace with its neighbors placing emphasis on getting to the bottom of any predicaments through round table discussion, not by war or force, nations in the Horn of Africa should collaborate with one another.
In a Zoom interview ENA conducted with Lawrence Freeman, the American analyst recently said the Prime Minister has made very clear that his intention is to have a peaceful dialogue with neighboring nations to secure the pathway for development of a port on the Red Sea.
“This is extremely important, because over the last few months, there have been a lot of war mongers saying incorrectly that Ethiopia was going to annex a section of land in Eritrea or Somalia, or steal a section of land.”
But, “I knew from knowing Ethiopia that this was not their intention.”
And now, the prime minister has made it very clear that he has no intention of using force, the analyst noted.
He stressed that having a seaport for Ethiopia on the Red Sea is really a no-brainer. “It is the ABCs of physical economy as Ethiopia has a sizable economy and population that will become an engine for economic growth of the East Africa region.” Additional port would not only benefit Ethiopia, but would also bring in revenue and jobs for the entire region, the analyst said.
By working in close collaboration with its neighbors, Ethiopia has been bending over backwards to come up with win-win approaches that consider the sovereignty and interests of all pertinent bodies. As far as this, Ethiopia’s positive strides show the country’s compliance with international standards.
As access to seaport is considered as a linchpin of cooperation and collaborative enhancement, it plays a paramount role in turning Ethiopia’s aspiration to assure seaports into a reality and breathing new life into cooperation and shared growth in the shortest possible time. No one denies the fact that as Ethiopia continues to develop and industrialize; it is more and more important to secure stable and efficient sea access.
Seas access, for Ethiopia is an existential and a generational agenda. Ethiopia’s limited direct sea access has been a main hindrance to its economic growth and international trading capability. The issue goes beyond politics in view of the fact that it directly impacts the sustenance and future of millions of Ethiopians.
The determination of the nation to resolve this issue by peaceful means and not through war is a demonstration of respect for international norms and its desire for friendly relations with neighboring nations. It is true that Ethiopia’s limited direct sea access has been a main impediment to its economic growth and import and export trade.
For the sake of truth, access to ports will have an abundance of significance in catapulting economic development, which in turn ensures harmony among the people of the Horn of Africa in the shortest possible time.
In the present climate, some groups as usual have been making an effort to disseminate cooked up stories that do not reflect the existing reality on the ground. As they hate to death Ethiopia’s speedy development, they endeavor to throw cold water on the positive moves of the country. To this point, they have sustained coming up with a broad range of cock and bull stories that do not reflect the existing reality on the ground.
Though worrywarts attempted all possible means to accomplish their hidden agenda going behind closed curtains, all their efforts have been going for nothing. No matter what pessimists say regarding access to seaport with a focus on tarnishing Ethiopia’s positive strides, the country has continued moving forward in the right direction turning a blind eye to their barefaced lies.
As long as Ethiopia’s intention is to advance the country to the next level of accomplishment and transform the lives of its people, all concerned bodies should stand by the country.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 25 MARCH
