A discussion was held on the current situation in Ethiopia, by the Diasporas residing in the Northern America with the participation of about 500 people under the theme; “Ethiopia on a New Path”. During the discussion, Fitsum Arega, Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, called on Ethiopians living at home and abroad to work together to overcome the current challenges facing the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) for his part said that the campaign is linked to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He said the giant project will alleviate many burdens.
He called on Ethiopians around the world to continue their support for the completion of the dam. Communication Advisor to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, Soliana Shimeis, briefed the participants on the upcoming general elections. She said the board is working hard to ensure a peaceful and democratic election.
According to Soliana, the board has received a large budget from the government, donor countries and organizations and is working for the success of the election. She stated that the turnout of about 200 private candidates will make it different from previous elections.
The leaders and members of the associations who participated in the discussion, as well as other participants, pledged to fight against the forces that are working to undermine Ethiopia’s unity and peace at home and abroad. According to information obtained from the Ethiopian Embassy in the United States of America, the participants underlined that it is important to take steps to maintain Ethiopia’s unity and to counter the growing pressure.
Similarly Ethiopians living in Rome, Italy protest against foreign intervention. Demonstrators denounced US interference in Ethiopia, Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, Sudan’s border invasion and Sudan’s and Egypt’s conspiracy in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam negotiations. The protesters also stressed that it is time for Ethiopia and Ethiopians to seek humanitarian assistance for the displaced and those in need, not under Western pressure.
He also expressed support for the efforts made by the Ethiopian people and government to ensure that the second phase of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is carried out as planned and that the next election is peaceful and democratic. The protesters said they are still working with the Ethiopian people and government to reduce the pressure, provide humanitarian assistance, continue national projects and maintain the unity of the country.
Along with the protest, Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent have shown their solidarity by purchasing a bond worth 10,000 Euros for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. In a related development, Ethio-Canadians living in Calgary, Lettbridge and Fortmakmary, Alberta, Canada, protested against US travel and related sanctions against Ethiopia.
Ethiopians of Ethiopian descent have expressed support for the government’s crackdown on the TPLF in the wake of the TPLF terrorist attack in the North. Meanwhile, the residents of Addis Ababa city who attended the rally in the Addis Ababa Stadium as an extension of the Diaspora campaigns against external pressures echoed that Ethiopia is using its natural resources without affecting anyone’s interests.
The demonstrators have said that any attempt to undermine that sovereignty would be unacceptable. They stressed the need for completing the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam together and to end the crisis. The protesters also said that they will do whatever is required until the dam is completed. Furthermore, while they praised super powers like Russia and China, they also condemns the stance of the US America
for they said is it violates the sovereignty and interfering in the internal affairs of Ethiopia. The demonstrations were held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Our Voice for Freedom and Sovereignty” against foreign intervention, particularly the US visa and aid ban. Residents of the city took to the streets to denounce foreign interference, with the flags and pictures of Russian and Chinese presidents’ and thanked them for respecting the interests of Ethiopia.
It is recalled that Russia and China have repeatedly sided with Ethiopia in opposing a joint UN Security Council resolution on Ethiopia during its closed sessions over Tigray region of Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa City Government Deputy Mayor Adanech Abebie, who addressed the rally at the Addis Ababa Stadium said Ethiopia will not bow down to the pressure.
“We Ethiopians do not want to be harmed, just as we do not want to harm anyone,” she said adding the attempts to undermine Ethiopia will not succeed. ” She also called on the United States to reconsider its visa ban. She called on Ethiopians to stand together, abandoning “differences and mutual suspicions” knowing that they can overcome any pressure from abroad and from within the country.
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
The Ethiopian Herald June 1/2021
