BY MENGESHA AMARE
November 4th, 2020 was a black and unforgettable date in the Ethiopian history as a disgraceful, degraded and malevolent action was performed, on the incomparable pride of the nation—the defense Force, which by no means depict the time-tested and well witnessed ethical, religious and genuinely born and raised Tigraways.
It is also a clear testimony that what the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) junta did by no means represent the entire people of the state except sharing the same culture and speaking a similar language.
As the wrong deed TPLF did was really saddening and quite heartbreaking, citizens from corner to corner in the country have unanimously condemned it and expressed their willingness to firmly stand by the side of the government in due course of respecting rule of law.
Not only are citizens across the nation seriously annoyed by the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) faction trivial action taken on the Northern defense force and Mai-Kadra innocent civilians but Ethiopians residing overseas are extraordinarily exasperated, too.
It is common that citizens of any country all over the world would prefer in one way or another residing abroad to living in their own homeland. Following this preference of theirs, they have been named diaspora.
Ethiopians residing abroad and foreigners of Ethiopian origin have closely followed what is happening in their country. They are always thinking of it and wish Ethiopia to be prosperous and developed in all aspects though they left for abroad as it is a matter of searching for job and leading a better life.
Not only wish their country to reach at the level where other developed countries are but they have also translated theories and ideas into practical actions and have contributed their share to the overall development of their beloved country-Ethiopia.
Setting up a certain assemblage would absolutely help these citizens come together and consolidate their synergy with a view to having the desired capacity and unity to make a difference. Interestingly, Ethiopia is one of the world nations which do have a special focus on diaspora affairs. Though there are a number of reasons that push Ethiopia to give due attention to the diaspora issue, it is enough to cite the three ones.
The first has emanated from the responsibility and duty of the government to scrupulously follow the issues of citizens residing abroad or at home.
The second principal reason is the widely accepted at the international level by which citizens of countries can have an immense contribution to their respective countries development and democratic culture termed as the diaspora option. The Diaspora option is also immensely taken as a good opportunity in our country.
The diaspora option is the system in which the comprehensive participation of the diaspora can be well coordinated and consolidated thereby making meaningful contribution to the development, good governance and progress of the country.
The third is self-assimilation with the international socio-political trajectory. The task of interconnecting Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin with their country demands the existing global real situation as Tran boundary concept of nationality following the state of sovereignty, the expansion of social media and acceleration communication and exchange of ideas as well as the changing of the mental set up of the second and third generations.
The Ethiopian Diaspora Agency is organized taking these national and international situations and framing the way how the diaspora community is supported and well organized accordingly. The Agency is widely working to increase the participation of the diaspora community to the development of their country via organizing forums in a bid to mobilize community.
For instance, the Ethiopian embassy at Doha, Qatar, organized a forum for the second time to discuss the current affairs in Ethiopia with diaspora representatives. The discussion targeted at three major issues:
Condemning the barbaric attack the TPLF destructive group committed on the Northern Defense Base and the massacre on innocent civilians at Mai-Kadra.
Setting up a committee in charge of soliciting funds and other supports for the law enforcement process and rehabilitate the displaced families, maintain the infrastructure destroyed by the irresponsible groups following the law enforcement process in different parts of the Tigray state and work in collaboration with the government to make a stable and developed nation.
Confirming the unwavering stance to stand by the side of the government, as the law enforcement process is a matter of rescuing the state from infringement and safeguarding the constitution.
Ethiopians residing in Juba and its environs also express their heartiest support for the national defense force. A number of Ethiopians participated in the conference and urged the government to relentlessly work to get the junta members appear before law. They also contributed a great deal of money to the effort geared towards supporting the defense force.
Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin in Great Britain had a virtual discussion about the current affairs in the country and discussed how to support the defense force and contribute financial support to the displaced. They also expressed their readiness to move in unison with regard to national interests though there are minor differences among them.
Ethiopians living in Italy have requested the TPLF junta members to surrender for the sake of the wellbeing of the country and its people. They also held a rally and candle lighting ceremony at Piazz Dell Esquilino square to commemorate the brutally massacred innocent citizens at Mai-Kadra.
All diaspora members in different parts of the world wrapped up their discussion exhorting their case by urging the junta members to surrender as by no means they will come to power committing such innumerous crimes at different places in the country.
The impetus for attaching due emphasis to the Diaspora has been given a growing recognition by the government and international community as the important, and often underutilized, contribution of Diasporas to economic growth, poverty reduction, and trade in the Ethiopia is timely and crucial.
Diasporas are viewed as important agents of economic and social development in countries of origin, but governments often lack knowledge or capacity of engaging them effectively at the desired scale.
To well exploit the untapped benefit out of the Diaspora community, the enabling environment in both countries of origin and destination has to be framed in such a way that it is essential to maximize the benefits of migration, strategic partnerships between states, international organizations, civil society and private sector are important to create a framework for diaspora engagement to facilitate transfer of resources and know-how sharing, the critical role of remittances in economic development and broad support for reducing the cost of remittance transfers needs to be acknowledged, proper incentives and guarantees must be created by governments to attract financial non-financial Diaspora resources as well as communication and strategic outreach are central to effective implementation of programs and policies for Diaspora engagement.
All Ethiopian Diaspora have shown increased interest in supporting the development of their country apart from transferring remittances to their families.
Diaspora communities living overseas are regarded as vehicles for transferring resources, technology, knowledge and ideas to their homeland thereby contribute to its overall socio-economic, cultural, political and other related developments.
Ethiopia is relentlessly working towards maximizing the positive impact on creating jobs and income through financial investments, networks, expertise, and skills of Diaspora communities. Needless to state, pecuniary aspects, expertise and skills that have flown from the Diaspora community are often regarded as the most tangible element of the nexus between migration and development.
Since the Diaspora community members have business ideas that go beyond remittances and these are often done following informal channels, a well organized and viable means has to be framed to make the scheme quite beneficial to the country and its people in a very meaningful manner.
The Ethiopian herald December 16/2020
