Not a few foreign tourists and temporary residents have been accused of violating supreme law and belittling citizens’ dignity. These cases are seen creating diplomatic tension between Ethiopia and other countries. With this complain in mind The Ethiopian Herald had approached pertinent bodies.
Foreign Affair Advisor in the Prime Minister Office, Mulualem Desta said that the basic concepts of synergy are all about balancing foreign relation outlooks. The world has dived into competitive and collaborative efforts. So, Ethiopia should take into consideration a healthy competitive spirit and cooperative network. Shoulder-to-shoulder foreign relation affairs with partner countries have marred the political atmosphere of the country. And working a cooperative network blown out of proportion with outsiders also decelerates the economic growth of the country.
He went on to say that the foreign relation affairs of the country with other intimate countries are well-anchored. Ethiopia has a fervent synergy with other countries having a diplomatic relation with the country. As long as Ethiopia has managed to maintain domestic attribution of stabilizing national peace and economic backup, the country could settle its diplomatic relations with attributions of regional and international countries.
He further noted that Ethiopia displays progressive movement in stabilizing domestic attribution through means of keeping tranquility and economic growth of the country. The nation has undeniable influence in the diplomatic spheres of regional and international levels.
“As we live in treasurable historical backgrounds – center of Africa Union and United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa – as a country of no colonization, there is still progress in various terms of references. As a matter of fact, Horn of Africa is locked in tough circumstances as it has a dynamic nature. Here, it is good to note Ethiopia has played role in the Africa continent as a whole and in neighboring Arab countries,” he indicated.
Adding he said that Ethiopia is a country that has not stopped into bargaining its own national interest with other countries. As such its national sovereignty issue should not be tabled for discussion with the countries in relation. And also the national dignitary of citizens’ topics should not be whipped into discussion agenda. National interest of the country must not base on the national interest of other countries. Therefore, there is no ground for national interest and citizens’ dignity. As to him, as we are in the age of globalization, minimizing the global influence effect is a means in keeping national interest of the country. So, we have set synergy and harmonization in account of national interest.
He further said that respecting citizen dignity is seen easily violated by few foreigners, embassies and international institutions. Of course, public diplomacy is one of the instruments to build diplomatic relation with other countries.
In the involvement of foreigners in high crime rates, he remarked that there are many foreigners who were convicted of crimes and put in jails. Based up on crime inquiry procedures, these individuals are accused for violating laws of the land. If they are accused of crimes, they will be judged in accordance with rules and regulations.
He further mentioned that the Nobel Peace Prize that went to Ethiopia can be taken as exemplary for the reputation of the country on global arena. Currently, Ethiopia has managed to harmonize relation with neighboring countries of Eritrea, Kenya and Somalia. Problems are solved on negotiation tables with neighboring countries. This move serves Ethiopia a springboard for global diplomacy. Ethiopia has proceeded apace in soft diplomatic powers of cultural and sport activities. The nation is trying hard to put its footstep in global diplomacy relations in military and economy empowerment as well.
“Ethiopia should also tailor its relation with other countries in terms of creating linkage with think-thank groups worldwide. Considering think thank groups and diaspora communities in global synergies should also be given due attention as well.” He pointed out.
Regarding the violation of supreme law and citizens’ dignity, Legal Advisor and Lawyer Getachew Tesfaye on his part said that foreigners had taken responsibility for the crime they did against the rule of law of the country. But, the controversial issue is that there is some sort of negotiation between the criminal foreigners of the respective country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOA) the aforementioned foreigners are guilty of crimes.
“No one is above the law is most likely restricted by (MOA) through allowing the criminal foreigners to go home to see his/her criminal cases in his/her country. Criminal foreigners are set free in accordance with bilateral ties with the agreement reached with their respective countries,” he pointed out.
As to him, foreigners are blamed for the violations of laws and rules. Money laundering, selling controlled substances, human right violations and abuse of citizen and offences related to citizen’s dignity are but to mention few of the crimes.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition, February 9/2020
BY MEHARI BEYENE
