ADDIS ABABA- Notwithstanding Ethiopian government’s restless efforts to engage constructively on issues and concerns raised by partners, it is being given a cold shoulder, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said, adding that the country cannot accept external dictates on how to manage internal affairs. MoFA Office of the Spokesperson issued a press statement on Monday in connection with the concerted campaign to exert undue pressure against Ethiopia.
The ministry stated that despite the desire of the Ethiopian government to remain always ready and open to engage with partners on issues of mutual interest and concern, some parties seem to be short of showing a genuine desire and they would only be counterproductive and exacerbating situations.
“Those statements and pronouncements as well as the fake news and speculations propagated through the media speak volumes in this regard. It is in this relation that the Ethiopian government finds it absolutely necessary, once again, to make its position unequivocally clear on some of the most important and salient issues.”
Noting that the Ethiopian government it is doing everything possible to make sure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and credible manner, the press statement indicated that the elections are expected to usher in a new era of democratic dispensation. The forthcoming elections are also expected to meet the hopes and aspirations of the Ethiopian people for lasting peace, freedom, and democracy.
“One thing is for sure though building and nurturing a fully-fledged democracy and political culture is essentially a homegrown process, and it cannot be achieved through external pressure.” Furthermore, the press statement stated that deploying the necessary security structures and means available in ensuring the rule of law within all corners of its borders is within government’s sole responsibility.
Concerning allegations of clampdown on dissent, the government said that there are no journalists or politicians jailed because of their political views and opinions and those behind the bar are accused of violating the law.
Meanwhile, the government noted that it has been consciously working to promote national dialogue and building the necessary national consensus in the country to chart a better way forward. The incumbent has also shown its readiness to engage with legal opposition parties, members of the civil society, the private sector, elders, scholars, prominent personalities, and others in the Tigray State to promote dialogue.
“However, it should be clear that the push by partners to involve the TPLF in this national dialogue process is unacceptable. The Ethiopian parliament recently passed a decision labelling TPLF as a Terrorist Organization and the government utterly rejects the repeated call by partners to cease hostilities and negotiate with the faction.”
About allegations of human rights abuses, the government highlighted that a team composed of representatives from the Federal Attorney General and the Federal Police Commission had been deployed in Tigray to carry out investigation and they made initial report.
“One cannot be indifferent when Ethiopia is flagrantly invaded while claiming to have too much concern about and trying to unduly delve into its internal matters; for doing so simply bears duplicity,” the press release remarked.
BY BILAL DERSO
The Ethiopian Herald May 19/2021
