It is crystal clear that ensuring peace and security in a given nation among the community is tantamount to taking clean air from the aerospace. Ethiopia is working hard to ensure peace and security in its own domain and beyond as the country is relentlessly capitalizing on regional peace and security.
Following its firm commitment to ensure Horn peace, Ethiopian delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos of late took part in the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ Forum held under the theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” in Johannesburg, South Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister during the summit Gedion Timothewos underlined that Ethiopia is firmly committed to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.
This time around the world is severely compromised by untold and multidimensional challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, natural resource incongruities, conflicts, knowingly or calculatingly orchestrated conspiracies, and the severe repercussions of climate change.
Accentuating the need for joint collaboration among the international community, including the G-20 Member states, in a bid to build a stable, safe and prosperous future, Gedion determinedly underscored the prominence of striking right balance between competition and cooperation, and the much more benefits of enjoying cooperation and amity over rivalry and confrontation.
As to him, Ethiopia has really been advocating the revitalization of collective security architecture, the reform of global institutions and the need to ensure inclusivity.
Without a shadow of doubt, every state/nation of the globe has to capitalize on peace and security since the issue of ensuring peace and tranquility should not left solely to bodies working on the peace and security aspects; instead it requires the combined effort of all. Yes, ensuring peace and security knows no boundary. Hence, strengthening support for the development aspirations of developing countries like ours has to be given priority.
The very mesmerizing part of the recent G20 Forum is it was held for the first time on the African soil, and Ethiopia is participating at this important global forum upon the invitation of South Africa, the current Chair of G-20.
The Forum deliberated on broad range of issues, including regional and international peace and security, current global geopolitical rivalry, the need to ensure sustainable development and collective action to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, among others. Interestingly, Ethiopia’s shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation has been well risen, and other countries of the continent should follow suit with a view to coming up with a stable and prosperous continent.
For instance, through the concerted effort of the countries and IGAD, Ethiopia works to ensure that neighboring countries remain on the path toward lasting peace and development by realizing the successful implementation of the revitalized agreements.
In Ethiopia, law enforcement and peace and security are overseen by the Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP), regional police forces, and the National Intelligence and Security Service, with the EFP playing a key role in maintaining law and order at the federal level and in regions experiencing deteriorating security situations.
The Ethiopian Federal Police Commission is also one of the law enforcement agencies entrusted with the power to protect peace and security of the public as well as maintaining the constitutional order of the country. This structure operates at all of Ethiopia’s administrative levels such as the federal, regional, zonal and district levels.
It is really high time for everyone to partake in various security and peace matters as all walks of life is duty bound to play their share along this line. Yes, all levels of motivation and commitment from the public to collaborate with security forces in ensuring peace and safety across the nation.
True, all citizens have to draw important lessons from one another via inter-peace trust-building programs. Here, the community have to the capacity and goodwill to contribute to local peace since miles of journey starts from a span—lower structure. This can be led to regional, continental and even global levels peace interventions.
That is why this piece has used the issue of G-20 peace forum as an opening avowal. True, following democratic approaches to community engagement and participatory approaches are pivotal in this regard.
Unequivocally, Ethiopia will continue its efforts towards ensuring peace and security as well as ascertaining mutual prosperity since it has been in the entire time pioneer in opening new chapters for all nations of the African continent.
It has also been stated now and then that Ethiopia has been doing all its best and everything too, for the peace and security of the Horn of Africa. Thus the sacred move of this east African icon has to be well strengthened and supported for the benefit of the Horn of Africa in particular and the entire continent in general.
No doubt, Ethiopia always prioritizes the peace and security of its neighbors and mutual prosperity as well as focusing on regional economic integration. Besides, all its efforts along this dimension have born fruits.
Not only is Ethiopia willing to expand the efforts geared towards peace and security but is also working for bolstering mutual benefit among/between African states as working together opens doors for growing together. A clear manifestoing of Ethiopia’s firm intention for peace is it has done what it is capable of carrying out so far to resolve the diplomatic tensions witnessed with many neighboring nations and some other related aspects.
Reflecting peace-loving spirit her and there, Ethiopia has so far been registering tangible achievement regarding bilateral, trilateral or even multilateral ties in all circumstance.
Valuing peace pays off, indeed! Of course, efforts have been exerted to strengthen bilateral relationship with many countries of the Horn and those of the continent and beyond that have political, economic and military capability.
As a result of its peace and security as well as security facets, Ethiopia’s diplomatic influence in multilateralism has strengthened and joining the BRICS Plus. This also clearly demonstrates country’s commitment to ensure peace and security.
Plus to this, Ethiopia’s candidacy for the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) is of paramount importance in booming peace and serenity. Unequivocally, Ethiopia’s long-standing commitment to peace, stability, and unity across the continent has now received the place it deserves as its key role in African decolonization and its founding membership in both the OAU and AU is being remembered all the time.
Basically, Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing Africa’s collective voice, particularly in achieving Agenda 2063 goals is well pronounced and promotion of peace and stability is central to Ethiopia’s foreign policy. Historically, too, Ethiopia’s role as a regional and international peacekeeper is well-established and recognized well.
For instance, Ethiopia’s first deployment of troops to the Korean Peninsula in 1951 marked a pivotal moment, not only in the country’s peacekeeping history but also in the trajectory of South Korea’s remarkable economic transformation. All this has weighed big in terms of measuring peace values. The considerable prioritized aspect of Africa and the whole world has to be peace and peace.
Through their tireless efforts, indeed, all African nations have been instrumental in securing key infrastructure, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, and training local security forces, laying the groundwork for ensuring peace and security.
In sum, Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to this noble cause—ensuring peace and serenity in the Horn and beyond. That is why Ethiopia stands as the major contributor of peacekeeping forces globally, serving in various missions. This remarkable achievement underscores the nation’s profound belief in the transformative power of peace and stability, and its unwavering dedication to fostering a more just and peaceful region, continent and universe. It must be borne in mind that precluding deterioration in the Horn of Africa requires a rigorous effort from all member states.
Cooperation, dialogue, and shared responsibility are essential to address the root causes of skirmish and stimulate bearable reciprocal growth. Building trust among regional actors, to address economic disparities, and strengthen regional institutions are key priorities in this regard.
Principally, Ethiopia has been playing a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation, integration and progress. Its efforts have smoothed economic integration, political stability, and sustainable development in the Horn region in particular and across the continent in general.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2025
