Some people say that current US sanctions on Ethiopia, aimed at rescuing the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which has been branded a terrorist-GROUP by the House of People’s Representatives, are undermining its interests in East Africa. Without Ethiopia, the US has no chance of success in the Red Sea region. Individuals are now abandoning American interests. Though the relationship is hurting, it will not be beyond Ethiopia’s lasting interests and sovereignty. If they have a conscience and are concerned about humanity, they say the TPLF’s massacre in Mai-kadra is enough. They also claim that this group brought Ethiopia down.
Ethiopia has made significant contributions to the Horn of Africa in general and the Red Sea in particular apart from protecting natural resources in the area. Ethiopia is a source of 12 rivers out of her womb to neighbouring countries. Shebele, Genale, Omo are some of the rivers that flow to Somalia, Kenya as well as Sudan. The Nile, which is said to be the world’s longest-running river, touches many countries. It is said to be a country that is hot on the heels of diplomacy and international politics. These natural resources can be used for various purposes. They say the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is one of the reasons for the imposition of sanctions. Beyond that, however, the sanctions are an alarm bell for Ethiopia and an indication that more work needs to be done to examine diplomacy.
Today’s guest is Endale Nigussie, a lecturer in diplomacy and international relations at the Ethiopian Civil Service University and the dean of the school. During his stay with the Ethiopian Press Agency, Endale gave explanations based on current issues. Excerpts:
What do you think is the reason for the recent US visa ban?
We need to look at the situation in Ethiopia first. Ethiopia is a country with a long history of government. It is also a country with an ancient history even before Egypt. We also have good experience in terms of diplomacy. Neither before nor during the Axumite period, during the Middle Ages and in the 19th century during colonialism, Ethiopia did not intervene in the affairs of other countries. The nation bestows priority for diplomacy. The Ethiopian people have lived for these thousands of years because it never negotiated by their freedom. This does not mean that Ethiopia has never faced challenges of various kinds.
Due to its natural resources and topography, many countries are interested to work with Ethiopia. Countries do this thinking about their national interest. Many have come and gone; Ethiopians, however, have never compromised on their national interests. This is a reality that the world knows. If we take the recent example, Egyptians launched a campaign to hold the source of the Blue Nile in 1875 and 1876 but retreated.
If we saw the battle of Adwa, colonizers were given priority to invade Ethiopia than any African countries. But they failed to bring the Ethiopians to their knees. That is why Somali leader Ziad Barre invaded Ethiopia. Colonialists are gnashing their teeth at Ethiopia; others see her as a model. So she goes all out with diplomacy. Just as some want Ethiopia to gradually weaken and disintegrate, some countries desperately need Ethiopia’s strength.
Why do some countries strive to weaken Ethiopia?
The first reason is that it is a symbol of freedom for blacks and Arabs. Ethiopia does not talk about Independence Day. It would rather talk about victory day. This in itself makes sense. We have the freedom to make decisions. Many colonized countries, including Egypt and Sudan, cannot even decide on their policies and affairs. In this regard, Ethiopia is a free country. However, Egypt and Sudan also have an identity crisis.
Second, Ethiopia’s position is crucial for regional politics. Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia are the four most important countries in the Horn of Africa. This region connects to the Red Sea. Ethiopia is the heart of the region. This area is connected to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. On the other hand, the Red Sea connects Africa, Europe and Asia. It is a large business area where countries need to show their power. Therefore, without partnering with Ethiopia as a guarantee, no country is profitable to travel in the region. Countries are approaching Ethiopia for the sake of their national interest.
Third, the communities in Ethiopia are back and live in these important parts of the region. This has a profound effect. Good or bad phenomena created in Ethiopia have played a significant role over these countries. Fourth, Ethiopia’s natural resources, extensive topography and significant population have attracted the attention of countries. Climate change has an impact on neighbouring countries. The population is a great asset. As its people have never been colonized, Ethiopia is a special country.
It also has a significant contribution to protecting ecological balance. Ethiopia releases 12 rivers out of her womb to neighbouring countries. The world knows that the Shebele River flows into Somalia, the Omo River flows into Kenya, the Genale River flows into Kenya and Somalia, and the Nile River touches many countries. It is also the longest river in the world. These natural resources can be used both for different purposes. The people in the region share the same culture and language. Other countries need to know this fact and should work with it. Indeed, this is not the first time for Ethiopia to face such a challenge.
History witnesses that the Western countries, which are still plotting against Ethiopia, will influence the country when it is in great trouble. They stood against Ethiopia during the Battle of Adwa and the re-invasion of Italy. When Ziad Barre invaded Ethiopia, they were opposed to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a symbol of Pan-Africanism and its independence. The flags of some 20 African countries are painted in the colours of the Ethiopian flag. There is no freedom without Adwa. For the past 40 years, they have been giving an agenda to Ethiopia and working to weaken it. Their scholars and media are also engaged in isolating Ethiopia. They have been working hard, especially in the face of ethnic and religious divisions. Ethiopia’s independence does not feel right for the right. Ethiopia is an example of free policymaking. To weaken Ethiopia, they formed a group called the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The mindset of this group is not designed in Ethiopia.
When the TPLF started its war against the North, it relied on Western support. No one in the history of the world has stabbed the country’s defense forces. This has never been the case in Ethiopia in the last 4,000 years. Not only the defense forces but the survival and sovereignty of Ethiopians had also been affected. However, Ethiopians have written their stories in bold. In the past, when the TPLF committed atrocities, the West did not impose sanctions but provided more financial support. This shows that they do not want to do anything if they succeed in doing so. However, they do not agree with the current situation and consider it a failure. They have now imposed sanctions. Many Ethiopians do not want to acknowledge that the change is a costly one.
Why do some countries force Ethiopia to negotiate with a Terrorist Group?
Ethiopia is an important country in the Horn of Africa. Some countries do not want the ongoing reform to continue. They know that this change will make a difference in the region and Africa as a whole. Countries in the region, including Sudan, want to work with Ethiopia. However, according to colonial ideology, it is divided and spread by false propaganda in their media. Even during the law enforcement campaign in northern Ethiopia, their media outlets have been misrepresenting things.
The good neighborliness and cooperation we have created with Eritrea will never be allowed by the West. They were paving the way for their interests and long-term conflicts. Their purpose is to divide and conquer. Beyond that, they want the return of the TPLF to power. If this zone is stable, they cannot sell weapons. There is no stone unturned to do this.
In the northern part of the country, 70 per cent of the law enforcement campaign is funded by the Ethiopian government. However, in the name of aid, they want to save the TPLF. They have worked to save the group to weaken Ethiopia and Eritrea. The TPLF junta owes a debt of gratitude to the West for its conflict with Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Will there be Western support for the TPLF in the war against the Northern Command?
Sure! They have enough evidence when the TPLF starts the war. At the time, the US envoy to the Horn of Africa and the ambassador said the TPLF had made a mistake. They want to compare the Ethiopian Defense Forces which defeated the white invading army with that of TPLF and belittle it. This group had not fought with the defense for an hour. The westerns are financially and strategically involved. Our peaceful relations with Eritrea have impressed the world. Colonialists did not want to accept this reality.
If they were angry by the Ethio-Eritrean friendship, does it mean that the West was behind the Ethio-Eritrean war?
How can it not exist? They are waging a war of attrition. What did the two countries fight? Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia’s border was invaded. This was wrong as there were no borders between the two countries. The border was demarcated and signed after the Algiers Agreement. This was signed by Meles. At the time, Isaias Afewerki argued that Ethiopia needed a port, saying that he did not need a port. This has never been in world history.
The war took a heavy toll on both sides. They went to war instead of finding a peaceful solution through dialogue. A weak country cannot use its resources. To that end, they want to create problems for us and try to get benefits out of them. The sanction is imposed considering Ethiopia and Eritrea as two US states. According to the United Nations Charter, countries are sovereign; it says that they decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. But this sanction is the opposite.
What is the point of imposing sanctions when the second round of the Renaissance Dam is being considered and Egypt is on a high anti-Ethiopian movement?
We are also concerned about the Renaissance Dam. Ethiopia is the first country in the world to share its resources. Egypt has no contribution but uses the largest of the Nile water share. Sudan does not play much of a role. If the United States, France or the United Kingdom were in place of Ethiopia, they would not release a drop of water. However, Ethiopia is still approaching through diplomacy.
Some speculate that China-Ethiopia friendship could be another reason for US sanctions. What do you say?
The main reason is the change. They did not succeed in establishing a weak government. Their interests, including the Renaissance Dam, have not been achieved. The United States is still embroiled in controversy over its current position. Since World War II, American supremacy has been seen in many ways. During World War II, Russia and the United States were in control of the situation. As the Cold War subsided, Russia was weakened and the United States ruled for some time. As Russia, Turkey, India, and China grow stronger, the United States is facing challenges on its decision-making power. This time the United States should have looked into it.
Change can be seen as Africans, including Ethiopia, approach economic growth and diplomacy as China, Turkey and other countries approach. However, the United States and the West want to continue to anaesthetize with help. As a result, the power line and domain are shifting. Even if they have projects, they take them back indirectly.
Is Ethiopia’s diplomacy bringing change since the reform?
The western is afraid of the direction of its diplomatic policy since the reform. The former is degrading Ethiopia and is designed for the sake of businesses and individuals benefit. In general, the then diplomacy served one group, not for the benefit of Ethiopians. It has now shifted from accepting the diplomatic agenda to giving the agenda. As before, it is pursuing diplomatic relations with countries that are relevant. US sanctions are currently weakening as [we have formed good relations] with other countries.
Can we take the sanctions as an opportunity?
Ethiopians should use the sanction as a good opportunity. Ambassadors and diplomats in each country should work closely with citizens. We must work together to put the country’s interests first. Peace and stability must be established throughout the country. We must carefully consider our use of public resources and respect each other. Instead of waiting for help, we should use the capacity of the country and plan day and night.
Ethiopia’s diplomatic approach should be multifaceted and have relations with various countries. Sanctions were to be imposed on Sudan and Egypt. We need to know that Americans are only interested in democracy if it benefits them more. However, what should take into account that the US government has not changed its stance on GERD. Beyond that, the sanctions are a wake-up call for Ethiopia. It is also an indication of the need to examine diplomacy and do more.
Thank you for your time with us.
Thank you.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald June 1/2021
