Today’s exclusive column guest goes by the name of Dr. Teketel Forsido. As an ambassador he had successfully discharged his duties and responsibilities in seven countries. At the time when he had been stationed in three countries – Yemen, India and Russia, he had served successfully other countries too. When Teketel was stationed in India, he was covering Bangladesh and Thailand. He was as well covering Belarus and Ukraine, when he was in Russia.
The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Dr. Teketel Forsido to have his reflections on the current status of Ethiopia, the way forward, and other mesmerizing issues. Excerpts:
What is your take on the ongoing reform?
Without a shadow of a doubt, history does not stop somewhere. It keeps on going every once in a while. It is as honest as the day is long. Nowadays, I would say, history is being made in the left, right and center of the country. Above and beyond, certain changes are being introduced in every part of the country. We are moving from chapter to chapter and development to another development. This is another mile in the country’s history.
I firmly believe that changes normally should not be at the expense of human lives, environment and peace and property of the country. As long as these areas are not touched and as long as they are maintained, whatever is being done in this country, I will take it with no ifs ands or buts. History should keep on moving forward over and over again. To the best of my knowledge, as our needs are continuous, changes being introduced in this country should pay much attention to these needs.
Do you think the reformists may succumb to pressing challenges surfacing here and there?
To begin with, it is crystal clear that challenges are surfacing in every part of the country. But it should be clear that whenever one introduces new things, one stumbles upon challenges. They are inevitable. One should expect challenges from a wide array of corners. Some challenges come from sources who do not like the changes at all. As far as I am concerned, challenges must be part of development and change. Whatever one would like to introduce for the betterment of mankind, one should get ready to take the bull by the horn seeing that devoid of challenges one cannot harvest the fruit of success. Therefore, everyone should take challenges positively.
Can we say that Ethiopia is harvesting the fruit of success?
This is not the time of harvesting. It is the time of investing. During challenging times, one should attach significance to invest more in positive elements. Because understanding, cooperation and bringing people together play a major role in getting to the bottom of the country’s problems. The harvesting time is far-off. We need to work very seriously regardless of what is happening in different parts of the country.
We are at the beginning of planting seeds of development and understanding and peaceful endeavoring. As we are planting the seeds, let the seeds send their roots. I am always an optimist. Whatever happens, I think positive every day. One should take chances as they come given that there are quite a lot of possibilities either changes or challenges bring. Therefore, we have to be optimist. Some negative activities may emanate from different sources, different directions and different angles. But I would say, it is not a lost cause at all. We should keep on heading forward.
What is your take on Ethiopia’s international relations at the moment?
Ethiopia
is closely working hand-in-glove with neighboring countries, Middle East
countries, European countries, Far East countries and western countries.
Ethiopia’s long history in black and white demonstrates the fact that Ethiopia
is a peace-loving country. Ethiopia had paid human lives to
protect different countries far
away from us. The country is as well contributing its share to the world in
terms of the prevailing peace in the horn of Africa.
As everyone is well aware, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has won the Nobel Peace Prize. In an unimpressed manner, some people may not take this positively. There are always likes and dislikes. To my mind, the award belongs to all Ethiopians. It is a special recognition of this historic country and an opportunity which put in the picture what the country is doing in peace and other activities. If what we have been doing is not enough, we will do more.
The Noble Peace Prize helps the country not to look backward and remain standing but to move forward every so often. As the Nobel Prize represents peace prize, the prime minister should consider more activities in bringing Ethiopian people together.
Ethiopia has shared history with Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea. We have the culture of working together. Therefore, the magnanimity of Ethiopia should be promoted through the premier’s office for the reason that this has an immense opportunity for tourism and investment.
What should be done to take Ethiopia to the helm of success?
There is no shortcut for real success. We need to work day in and day out by the sweat of our brows. Everybody should know the fact that changes are not small groups show. They are not some offices show. They are not some ministries show. But they are the show of everyone.
Could you explain this more?
More so than anything else, all citizens of the land must work together. They need to speak the same language when it comes to development, peace, understanding and other related aspects. Together there is no mountain that we cannot climb and together there is no mountain that we cannot move.
If all Ethiopians work for the same cause, they can take the country to a new chapter of success in a little while. At the moment, the rate of development is at a snail’s pace and the population is growing at a fast rate. Therefore, taking this reality on the ground into account, we need to attach weight to development activities. We have to be very careful in this regard. To the best of my knowledge, as the population growth is a very serious challenge, our education, agriculture, and healthcare should focus on population growth.
These days, Arab countries are attaching importance to Ethiopia. How do you assess their relations?
I am not sure how much interest they are showing. If they show any special interest, I would say, that is for a shared interest. But if they follow only their interests, they will not make their dream become a reality. We as Ethiopians work with neighboring or faraway countries from time to time. But if we neglect the interest of others, we will not achieve the intended target. By the way, we are very much closely related with the Arab world culture, land and religion. Poverty or prosperity is very much connected with the prosperity of this land.
If Arab countries consider that background, they will be more interested in Ethiopia and work together for a shared goal without batting their eyes. If they come with open hearts and open minds and work together with Ethiopia, the resources are enough for all of us. Take the water of Ethiopia. If we share, it is enough for all of us. If there is no peace, nothing is enough. If there is no understanding, nothing is enough. If we work together, we benefit and prosper together.
How do you see the appointment of ambassadors by the reformist administration?
I have no idea who is assigned where. But I know the fact that ambassadors are assigned in various parts of the world wherever the country has missions. I know they are assigned with a very clear understanding. It is an honor to serve their country and that honor must be rewarded with whatever activities. That is promoting the country. I think whoever is assigned, they shoulder heavy mission.
How can we make Ethiopian Diasporas living in different parts of the world contribute their fair share to their motherland?
Quite a lot of countries are benefiting from Diasporas because they generate more income and more resources than any ministry of a certain country in the world. My personal experience shows that Ethiopian Diasporas up until now are not sharing the burden of their motherland. I am not saying they are not contributing at all. They are not standing to the expected level of their responsibility.
In the past, before the Ethiopian premier took office many Ethiopian Diasporas had been making an effort to devastate this country. They have been defying their country in many ways. Some Diasporas may not like regime or some people or organizations in this country, but they do not have to dare to speak against their motherland. Many of them were standing against their country. Whatever the cost may be, they do not have to defame their land.
Do you think there is headway in this regard nowadays…?
Nowadays, there are signs that Ethiopians Diasporas are getting back on the track. If Diasporas pay [a dollars a day], Ethiopia for sure will be changed within the shortest possible time. It may take the next twenty-five years or so to bring a serious change in this country. It may be even shorter if our Diasporas play a better role. By investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, Diasporas can change Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Herald Friday 20 December 2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
