BY HAILE DEMEKE
Ethiopia is among the countries which have huge number of diaspora community abroad. This segment of population has tremendous role in fostering the overall development of the country. But, the engagement of the diaspora community has been negligible particularly in the political sphere. For this reason, the community had largely been the vocal critics of the previous administration. They had tried everything in their power to make the voice of the Ethiopian people heard in many ways.
Previously the diaspora communities living outside had not been curious enough to engage in political landscape of the country due to the government bureaucratic situation and persisted clampdown against vocal and critics. The ruptured relation between the government and diaspora community came to an end following the change of the administration.
Since the appointment of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, bridging the gap between the Ethiopian diaspora communities is among the prior work of the prime minister. He travelled to different parts of US, Europe and Asian countries to heed the demands of the diaspora community and mend the rift.
After few months of his appointment, the premier traveled to the United States (US) and hold discussions with Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin living in US. The prime minister traveled to us with the motto of “Break the wall, Build the Bridge” and the visit was aimed at making the diaspora become part of the inclusive reform and engage in the development and growth of the country as well as in the economic, social and political arenas of the country.
Within few months in office, Abiy has led a dramatic turnaround. Sweeping reforms have quelled dissent, boosted civil liberties and begun to heal wounds from decades of ethnic tension and marginalization. Since assuming power, the premier keep connected with Ethiopians living abroad to promote the reforms and encourage diasporas to return home and add to the changes unfolding.
Previously many of the Ethiopian diaspora left their home country escaping political persecution by the then regime. Following the reform, Diasporas including activists, politicians have returned home and continued to engage in the political undertakings of the country.
The perception of the government seems to have significantly changed with the appointment of the new Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed. The newly appointed leader, unlike the previous ones, have come up with a different and sensible understanding and position on the role, interest and potential of the diaspora both socially, economically and politically.
The Prime Mister boldly described the diaspora as part of the Ethiopian political community despite residing overseas.
The government welcomed the exiled diaspora political activist and media outlets and removed the names of different diaspora individuals and organizations from the country’s list of terrorists. Following the reform for the first time ever, the diaspora also seen being very optimist and supportive of the government and politics at home. It is however crucial that this smooth relationship to be institutionalized through law so that it will have continuity and bear fruits.
Nowadays, Ethiopian Diasporas are very intact and very much engaged in the affairs of their homeland. While this is a leap forward, such a good will of the government needs to be institutionalized so that it would benefit the country to continue the reform and enable diaspora to actively engage in the internal affairs.
Lately, a workshop was held to deliberate on proposed evidence-based Diasporas policy and strategy, which aims to augment the community’s engagement in overall aspects of the country. Presenting a study on the issue, Hawassa University Abate Yesigat (PhD) said that in order to actively engage diaspora in the internal aspect of the country, the government of Ethiopia has also developed diaspora policy to scale up the participation of the community in national issues . To this end, in recognition of the diaspora community, the government has done many activities, like developing evidence based diaspora policy and strategy, establishing Ethiopian Diaspora Agency (EDA) which will also help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing policy and devise strategies for better involvement of the diaspora in domestic affairs.
Ethiopian Diaspora population possesses a huge economic, social and political potential to make a meaningful contribution to the overall development of the country through different means. Acknowledging the potential of the diaspora, the government has also gradually taken various measures so as to use the potential of diaspora to promote the socioeconomic and political development of the country.
However, these engagement measures have not been able to tap the full potential of the diaspora due to many reasons. Different bottleneck are there with the existing diaspora policy and the government is taking measures to bridge the loopholes.
Previously the government’s engagement endeavors have not been as comprehensive as they should be to ensure the participation of all types of citizens residing abroad and the engagement measures have focused on the economic, contribution of the diaspora while neglecting the political interest and concerns of the diaspora on internal politics.
Jimma University lecturer, Dr. Mekonnen Bogale for his part said that utilizing the knowledge, skill and technological potential of this community is timely and appropriate. For this to happen, the government should create conducive environment including policy wise to increase the Diasporas’ engagement.
Diaspora which has concerns over the political situation at home cannot be fully engaged economically unless it is also engaged politically. Engaging the diaspora politically beyond its potential to tap into its economic potential is also very critical for Ethiopia in terms of promoting democracy, peace and stability in the country.
Depending on how well it is engaged, the Ethiopian diaspora can be a potential to promote democracy, good governance, national consensus, peace and stability in Ethiopia. If diaspora is properly managed it contributes in raising the civic and political consciousness of the resident citizens to stand for their right and fight the undemocratic behavior and others which enhances democracy. A disregarded diaspora, however, has a potential to cause civil unrest and instability in the country. The government is properly managing diaspora but still much effort is needed.
The Diaspora is a powerful entity which has information, knowledge, money and media with a formidable potential to influence the politics at home. Engaging diaspora in politics enables them feeling that they are parts of the political community so that they would make constant positive contributions to their country.
Engaging the diaspora politically is important to address political differences and polarization of ethnicity and ethnic conflicts at home and abroad. Diaspora can be seen as a unifying measure, which shows that those who live abroad are still valued, and that the state would welcome an eventual return to the homeland.
The current unprecedented cooperation between the diaspora and the government that has happened following the political reform in the country should be taken as an opportunity to establish a framework for an institutionalized diaspora engagement in Ethiopia.
Previously, the Ethiopian government did not generally consider the political involvement of the diaspora as genuine. The government used to be often heard calling the diaspora as remnants of the old regime who are voicing to bring the old regime back to Ethiopia. It was also heard calling these groups as instruments of foreign groups, who enforce foreign agendas in Ethiopia.
Deputy Director of Ethiopian Diaspora Agency (EDA) Dr. Mohammed Endris said that the existing diaspora policy is amending aimed at easing home bureaucracies to encourage the diaspora so as to increase its remittance and invest at home. The previous policy is full of bureaucracy and the agency is working to ease related challenges collaborating with the concerned bodies.
Previously the government effort has focused more at ensuring the diaspora economic participation while neglecting their concerns over local politics and governance. The revision of the existing policies will allow the diaspora community to freely participate in home politics. Following the recent political reform in the country, there is generally a good reception of the diaspora as part of the Ethiopian political community whose voice and opinion really matters.
The Ethiopian Herald 22 April 2021
