BY BACHA ZEWDIE
Ethiopians overseas/Ethiopian Diaspora and persons of Ethiopian origin (PEO) play an important role in supporting the overall development of the country. Particularly, their participation in domestic economic and peace and stability affairs have more than ever significantly improved in recent times.
Ethiopians overseas have demonstrated their keen interest to lend a helping hand at the time when their country of origin and people need them the most. Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamwit Dawit, said that Ethiopians overseas are keen to stand by their country ever since the start of the reform initiated by the current administration some two and a half years ago.
Selamawit told The Ethiopian Herald that the Agency has urged the Diaspora community to support the country as it is facing many burning issues, particularly the situation in the northern part where the government was forced to undertake a law enforcement operation following the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front’s (TPLF’s) brutal attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Forces and the subsequent mass killing of civilians.
As to her, the government and the (Tigray) regional administration have been providing updated information about the ongoing rehabilitation of ruined infrastructure and other issues about ongoing developments.
As a result, the information has been made available to all concerned bodies through foreign diplomatic missions and diaspora associations and organizations. After gathering information from the source on the position of the government and the general situation before and after the reform, the Diaspora community has actively participated in making the situation clear to the international community via various media outlets in different languages.
“This is one of the ways in which the Diaspora community has been fulfilling its responsibilities in service of their country and this is commendable,” she said. Members of the Ethiopian community overseas have come up with their own initiatives to support the Defense Forces and the civilian victims.
According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defense, necessary support such as medications and medical supplies, especially for the treatment of victims during the law enforcement operation are being provided by the Diaspora.
Ethiopians overseas have managed to raise more than 100 million Birr in cash and in-kind in less than a month. “The fact that so much money has been raised in such a short period of time shows that the Diaspora, residing in every corner of the world, is keen on to supporting the Defense Forces and their fellow victims,” she added.
By providing these supports, the Ethiopian Diaspora is actively involved in reconstructing infrastructures. “As the initiative came from the Diaspora community at the first place, we did not face any difficulty in terms of coordination,” she emphasized.
It goes without saying that there are differences in attitudes, thoughts and ideologies among the Diaspora community. But according to Selamawit, only few protested against the law enforcement operation one way or the other. Yet, as a matter of fact, they do not represent the majority of the Diaspora.
However, they are known to be directly or indirectly linked to extremist groups. The Agency is trying its best to provide the right information to these groups in case if it is the lack of information that forced them to take such stance.
The main role of the Diaspora community should be to provide financial and material support to the country via legal means. Most of the money they send illegally will not enter the country or it would be used against the interests of the country.
“Apart from destabilizing their own country, they have to be aware that the money that they send illegally is being utilized to harm their fellow citizens, directly or indirectly,” she said. “Therefore, the Diaspora and PEO should be aware that when sending money to their families and other needs, they should use legal means only.”
The other thing that is expected of the Diaspora and PEO is that they have to be able to engage in effective public diplomacy to explain to all concerned bodies that Ethiopia is a peaceful country.
“The people of Ethiopia need peace; the government’s law enforcement action was carried out with great care and without causing any harm to the people; so that this is a great victory,” she said. This in turn helps to bring to light the false propaganda fabricated on different issues from time to time.
False information has been disseminated about domestic issues before and after the operation.
Thus, these issues should always be monitored from the bottom up. Ethiopians overseas should stand by their country, exposing the lie, magnifying the truth and standing up for their country’s honor by engaging in public diplomacy and the advocacy, the director stated.
At present, the Diaspora’s involvement in national affairs is historic, she said. There has not been a time when Ethiopians overseas actively participate in the country’s affairs in terms of finance, knowledge, diplomacy and advocacy at all levels.
According to the Director, this year, the Agency is planning to undertake a lot of tasks that aim at uplifting the contribution of Ethiopians overseas in their country’s affairs. She pointed out that there are national projects such as Dine for Nation Project which needs financial, intellectual and diplomatic support.
She further explained that the Diaspora initiative to stand by the side of the people and the government is very pleasing and will serve as the backbone for the achievement of the government’s plans.
Wondwosen Girma, Communication Director of Ethiopian Diaspora Agency for his part told The Ethiopian Herald that the agency serves as a bridge between the country and the diaspora community. Regarding the current financial support, the role of the agency is mobilizing finance. Thus, it does not directly involve in distributing aid. Rather, it hands over to the committee formed to carry out the task led by the Minister of Peace.
“The committee, in which our agency is also a member, manages the supply of the necessary aids to the people in need,” he said.
Apart from the current aid activity, according to the director, the diaspora communities show their passion for their country in many ways. They are supporting mega projects underway in the country such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam by purchasing bond and donation.
They are also active in knowledge and technology transfer and investment activities like trade, tourism and other sectors. For example, they have been providing basic to advanced level ICT training to thousands of Ethiopians prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, they have significant contributions to the country’s foreign currency earnings. According to estimates, the country earns 3-4 billion USD every year in the form of remittance from Ethiopians overseas and PEO. He also advised Ethiopians to follow legal paths when the go aboard for work.
The Ethiopian herald December 30/2020
