A Sudanese delegation of public diplomacy arrived yesterday for a three-day visit to Ethiopia. The purpose of their visit is to cement their ties with the peoples of Ethiopia; to pay gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia for the role it has played in restoring peace and stability in their country; and to make some cultural exchanges.
The old adage goes: “We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our neighbors.” When the reformist government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, among the key issues it announced was Horn of Africa, where peoples are interconnected with trade, culture, language and long history.
Right on his inaugural speech, Dr. Abiy publicly requested the government of Eritrea for reconciliation. “With the government of Eritrea, we want from the bottom of our hearts that the disagreement, which has reigned for years, to come to an end. We would also discharge our responsibility. While expressing our readiness to resolve our differences through dialogue, I take this opportunity to call on the Eritrean government to take a similar stand not only for the sake of our common interest but also for the common blood ties between the peoples of the two countries.”
In this world wherein “half the promises people say were never kept, were never made”, Abiy tangibly materialized his promise in just the first three months of assuming power. He moved into Eritrea and resolved the old wounds; he then shuttled across the other Horn countries one after the other to mediate, to integrate, to craft or consolidate cooperation and partnership.
Still now, Ethiopia under Dr. Abiy Ahmed is advocating for and striving vigorously to effect integration among the countries of the Horn. As Abiy’s concept of Medemer has it all, there are three interdependent pillars: “a vibrant democracy, economic vitality, and regional integration and openness to the world.”
It is true that neighbors with “intimate, rule-based, and diverse trade and economic relations” are unlikely to resort to conflict. This integration by no means can be viewed just as an economic project. It is rather a bigger project crucial for securing peace and reconciliation in the Horn of Africa.
For this reason, our neighbors need to intensify the issue of integration more than anything else. The integration does not necessarily be in terms of economy. The peace and stability of one country is the peace and security of every other in the region. The interests of all countries are best served when they synergize their power and apply it for a common good purpose.
Ethiopia also must continue to intensify its new course of cooperation it started in the Horn and prove to the world that people in the sub-region are capable of solving their own problems by themselves. The peace and stability of Sudan is the case in point here. Yes accretion is the fast track to integration. Let us stand firm with hearts imbued with considerateness.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 22/2019
