BY YESUF ENDRIS
For long, powerful nations have used both trade and aid as means of advancing their tailored policies in the developing nations. With aid and trade come preconditions and the end result of it has been imposition of socio-economic and political values.
Mostly, erosion of indigenous culture and westernization became the face of the world as a repercussion. These approaches have indeed shaped world politics over the years as the economic gap between the developed and developing countries has widened. In contemporary global politics, cutting of aid and investment are becoming a weapon to intervene in sovereign countries’ affair.
This trend is forcing countries to find a gray line between receiving aid and exchanging trade and ensuring sovereignty. At the heart of the struggle for independence and uncompromised sovereignty is Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s history clearly depicts that the country has till this day remained unconquered and did not succumb to foreign aggressions in spite of the varied approaches.
Most of the sacrifices Ethiopian forefathers made for were meant to defend the territory and sovereignty of Africa’s uncolonized nation. The pinnacle for the sovereignty was very much witnessed at
the Adwa victory, where Ethiopians with old armaments had defeated the modernly equipped fascist Italian aggression force.
Equally true, Ethiopia has been at the center of global diplomacy being the founding member of the then League of Nation and Organization for African Unity.
The very reason behind this strong belief was the quest for peaceful world and protection of sovereignty of countries. And, this belief harkens back to the early ages of modern state formation.
Unfortunately, the country this year has face serious attempts by foreign forces to tamper with its international matters, the GERD and the law enforcement operation in Tigray state. However, the country did not flinch for a second to allow external intervention. It persisted!
In the course of tripartite negotiation on the GERD issue, Ethiopia has confirmed that external interventions will never be a means to end disagreements. Moreover, some external forces have tried in several ways to impose pressure with regard to law enforcement operation which is being taken against TPLF cliques.
It is to be recalled that outgoing US President Trump in apparent intervention on sovereign matter warned Ethiopia of Egyptian bombing of the GERD and then touted US’s decision to suspend Aid to Ethiopia.
Last week, Bloomberg has also reported that European Union officials are looking for suspension of aid budgets to Ethiopia as a move to stop law enforcement launched in Tigray Region even though “no decision has been made yet.”
Lately, the country’s longstanding approach was correctly amplified lately by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed when he addressed lawmakers on the law enforcement operation in Tigray. He did not hide the fact that there was an attempt from eternal forces to intervene in Ethiopia’s internal matter.
Countries with weak economy might face war within or less than 10 year interval; hence economic independence is the core solution to defend external interventions. And, he also vowed his administration will never allow any external intervention in any means.
In spite of this, the government has repeatedly reaffirmed that it will never negotiate on internal affairs. But, the question that how the Ethiopian government can resist all intervention attempts is the main concern of the time.
On the other hand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Ethiopia is a developing country and fostering economic ties with foreign countries is being placed at the heart of the country’s foreign relations policy, The Ethiopian Herald learnt.
Tsion Teklu, State Minister Foreign Affairs said that Ethiopia’s desire for building strong economic ties with foreigners has been growing steadily; thus doors are opened to investors. Ethiopia have untapped potentials particularly various sectors.
These would put on us in the country to pursue strong economic ties with other countries. In fact, many argue that self-reliance in economy would curtail any political intervention.
Speaking of external intervention and sovereignty, Dejene Yemaneh, International Relations Lecturer at Wollo University said that Ethiopian government should be strong in defending national interest.
He told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia has the right to defend its sovereignty legally as the international law sets clear boundary between internal affairs and issues which demand extra interventions. “Nothing is worthier than of keeping sovereignty,”
The Ethiopian Herald December 9/2020
