Ethiopia and the UAE have all-round ties. The diplomatic visits the higher officials of the two sides have been paying to each other’s countries are good indications to this end. The recent visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to the UAE further heightens the thriving fraternal relations indeed.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also visited Ethiopia in June 2018.
UAE is one of the destinations of Ethiopians migrant workers. Ethiopia will send not less than 50,000 workers to one of its international partner- UAE- for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. Hence, the premier’s visit would help protect the rights and benefits of citizens as well.
Ethiopians working in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain are one of the sources of remittance to the national economy. Despite their contributions to their country, those migrant workers, whether legal or illegal, have consistently been exposed to inhumane treatment at the hands of their employers.
In this respect, it is expected that the visit and consultations of Abiy Ahmed with Ethiopians drawn from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain will bring positive changes. After all, Abiy pursues citizen-centered diplomacy and the current visit would remain yet another manifestation of the commitment of the government to citizens living overseas.
The ever-growing diplomatic ties between Ethiopia and the UAE have also a key role in further strengthening the peace and stability of the respective regions. Using their historical and geopolitical ties, the two should cooperate to protect their national interests in the international fronts as well.
The Ethiopian Herald February 14/2020
