Though the Horn of Africa is one of the most complex and conflict-ridden regions in the world where countries suffer from protracted political strife arising from local and national grievance, identity politics and regional inter-state rivalries, Ethiopia’s role in welcoming refugees is improving.
Ethiopia has become one of the asylum and destination countries for an increasing number of refugees from around the world. Huge number of refugees mainly from South Sudan, Syria and Yemen wanders the streets of the main cities of the country with freedom.
Unlike counties where refugees are subjected to forced labor, commercial sex work and a new form of slavery, in Ethiopia, there is no considerable discrepancy between citizens and refugees. In the very day of trafficking in persons, grave human rights violations, and human prey upon human for money have become the recurrent situation, Ethiopia put in place the issue of refugees as a supreme national and international agenda.
Recently, an international refugee forum was organized in Geneva and as it is a co-convened and an active participant in the forum, Ethiopia is represented by Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The Deputy Premier reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to a comprehensive response to refugees together with the communities that host them.
Ethiopia has announced four new commitments that are linked to the existing nine pledges made at the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in 2016. The new set of commitments include: Creating economic opportunities for 90,000 Ethiopians and refugees; Providing quality and accredited skills training for 20,000 refugees and Ethiopians sustainable and market-based energy solutions to 3, including refugees, and strengthen government’s asylum capacity, with special focus on social protection.
Though it is a hard task to manage it, as its level best, Ethiopia has been striving to handle the ever-increasing refugees’ flows from neighboring as well as across the world. Even at this critical juncture, Ethiopia has come up with new commitments. This clearly depicts that Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to be a safe place for the refugees.
The commitment of the Ethiopian government by itself is not an end by itself unless it is supported by donors and others who are working in the area. Then it would be possible to improve the livelihood of refugees.
Thus, it has paramount importance to consider how big the situation really is, how the international community is reacting, how Ethiopia is backed and finding a lasting solution until refugees gain full rehabilitation and settlement.
These sets of questions need to be answered as a matter of priority by understanding the depth breadth and scope of the problem. The International community, politicians, lawmakers, should stand by the side of Ethiopia as the country is striving to provide asylum and protection for refugees in a very complicated region of the world.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 19/2019
