Since Dr. Abiy Ahmed sworn in as Prime Minister, Ethiopians in the Diaspora have received much attention than ever. The Premier has made the issue among top priorities of the government as it is estimated that over three million Ethiopians live abroad.
Many Ethiopians live in the United States, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and they have engaged in various occupations including at higher levels.
They have also accumulated capital, valuable knowledge and experience that can be used to support the development endeavors of their homeland. In this regard, the government’s uplifted attention to the Diasporas is a praiseworthy move.
On the other hand, it is imperative to making sure that Ethiopians overseas should not only be expected to contribute to the development of the country. Rather, the government has to also work harder to respect their rights, interests, and dignity.
In this regard, the citizen-centered foreign diplomacy that the government is pursuing would have a significant impact in making Ethiopians oversea feel a sense of belonging. Hence, the government has given special attention to the Diaspora community ever since the start of the reform.
Activities are designed to enable Ethiopians to be active in their own affairs and to protect their dignity and rights while living abroad.
For instance, the premier’s move and commitment to ensure and protect the interests of Ethiopians oversea during bilateral talks need to be appreciated. Everywhere he went overseas, he brought back home hundreds of prisoners with him who were put in jails in foreign lands. And now he is calling on them on the principle of “Unity for Prosperity”.
Ethiopians living abroad also need to understand that they are the concern of the government more than any time in the past as has been witnessed in the citizen-centered diplomacy.
The realization of peace and prosperity in Ethiopia will not take too long if all Ethiopians are fully committed. Thus, Ethiopians everywhere should leave their fingerprint for the development of their country.
To take advantage of the potential of Ethiopians living abroad, the government must do its homework. It should improve the service delivery system to be efficient and fast, while embassies and consular offices abroad need to be open to providing services to the Diaspora.
In general, the discussions held with the Diaspora need to continue to encourage the engagement of the Diaspora in Ethiopia’s development endeavors. Ethiopian embassies abroad and the Diaspora Agency have to play a key role in facilitating this process. Mobilizing and organizing citizens living abroad need to be done repeatedly with persistent follow-ups.
The Ethiopian Herald February 20/2020
