BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
Hordofa Bekelle, member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and former Vice Chairperson of the Ethio-Japan Friendship Group, received the highest ranking medal, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, on 14 January 2021, for his contribution to further strengthening economic relations between Japan and Ethiopia.
He has a deep knowledge and understanding of Japan, obtained through his vice chairmanship of the Ethio-Japan Friendship Group, said Japan Embassy in Ethiopia. Through his engagement in parliamentary diplomacy, he has also been instrumental in assisting for successfully introduction of the Kaizen Philosophy into Ethiopia, which has been expanding into different sectors and significantly improving the management of many firms, the Embassy added.
In 2019, Hordofa Bekelle also received Japan’s Foreign Minister Commendation award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the mutual friendship between Japan and Ethiopia.
Hordofa Bekelle has been a member of parliament for the past two decades and has been involved in parliament diplomacy for several years. Now, he is a member of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
He had a short stay with the Ethiopian Herald to discuss about the activities of the standing committee in terms of strengthening the parliament diplomacy and supervising the sector institutions. Excerpts:
We heard a few months ago that you had received an award from the Japanese government. Tell us a little bit about the award?
I have been a member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for many years. I am also the member of the African Parliamentary Union. I was also Deputy Chairperson of the Ethio-Japan Friendship Committee. Based on the testimony of the Japanese ambassadors who worked with us, in 2019, I received Japan’s Foreign Minister Commendation award and last January I also got the Japan’s highest-ranking award, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in recognition of my contribution to strengthening the bilateral relation of Ethiopia and Japan; and introduction of the Kaizen Philosophy into Ethiopia.
What are the main objectives of parliamentary diplomacy? Are there any achievements Ethiopia has made through parliamentary diplomacy?
Parliament diplomacy supports different diplomatic activities of the nation. There are many various parliamentary unions of which our country is a member like International Parliamentary Union (IPU), Pan-African Parliament (PAP), African Parliaments Union (APU), among others. Ethiopia has permanent and temporary delegates in these organizations. And also, we have more than ten friendship committees to implement the parliament diplomacy.
These friendship committees in collaboration with their peer parliamentary committees of other countries have a great role in maintaining the bilateral relations of Ethiopia and the respective country; strengthening the social, economic, and political relations of the two countries; and attracting tourists, foreign direct investment, and others.
Regarding the federal government’s law enforcement operation in Tigray State, we discussed on the issue with the ambassadors of other countries to make the international community have real information. We gave detail information about the operation from the beginning to the present, as well as the current situation of the human rights in the region.
We have also been telling them that the problem is our internal issue and it can be solved internally and that the intervention of other countries is not necessary. We have understood from their feedback that our works are bearing fruit.
What activities have been carried out to inform the international community of the Ethiopian government’s stance in connection with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Ethio-Sudan border dispute? What are the results?
Complaints from the international community stem from interests and are intended to impede our country’s development activities. Currently, various groups are circulating distorted information about the federal government’s law enforcement operation to achieve their ill-intents. They are also pretending that there are serious violations of human rights in Tigray region.
It is a well-known fact that there is a long-standing dispute in connection with the utilization of Abbay (Nile) River. Although they know that the operation has been carried out in an ethical manner, they are deliberately spreading false information. The main aims of these groups are to thwart the country’s development and to realize their interests.
Various groups are working day in and day out to prevent Ethiopia from getting foreign aid and to stop the construction of the GERD. More than 65 percent of the Ethiopian citizens are living without electricity, but these groups are working tirelessly by supporting the internal and external foes to prevent Ethiopia from exercising its rights to use the Abbay (Nile) river for electricity, irrigation, and other related purposes. Countries that have interests on the Abbay River are triggering Sudan to get into conflict with Ethiopia.
A lot of works are being done by the Ethiopian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and Ethiopian embassies across the globe by creating high-level awareness creating forums.
As everyone knows, Ethiopia and Sudan share border. In addition to this, the two countries have long-aged trade and investment relations, as well as people-to-people and cultural ties. Currently, there is a widespread public protest in Sudan against its government for its actions against innocent people in various parts of the country.
The Sudanese rulers are creating border dispute by crossing the border of one sovereign state, Ethiopia, to divert their public’s attention instead of focusing on pressing issues of their country. Every time, when there is a change of government in Sudan, there is a tendency to invade Ethiopia. Everyone needs to know this.
The solution for this problem is maintaining the unity of Ethiopians and building the country’s economy. We need to increase Ethiopia’s bargaining power and also we need to do a lot of diplomatic activities.
The work of informing the international community about the reality of our country should not be left solely to the government alone. Every citizen should be a diplomat for thier country.
What is the situation of the Ethiopian refugees who went to Sudan in connection with the law enforcement operation in the Tigray region?
The government has repeatedly stated that efforts are being made to repatriate our citizens peacefully and rehabilitate them. Our Standing Committee has learned that the government is monitoring the situation of our citizens.
Is there any plan to strengthen the work of parliamentary diplomacy in the future and to institutionalize the work of the standing committee?
The effort of showing the real situation of our country to the international community by sending our representatives to the forums where our country is a member will be continued and strengthened. And also, there are many planned works in terms of strengthening bilateral relations.
We will soon be providing training in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia to further strengthen the work we have done so far.
Thank you very much!
It’s my pleasure!
The Ethiopian Herald March 7/2021
