BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
Dr. Aregawi Berhe is Director-General of the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation to the Construction of GERD as of October 14, 2020. He returned home in 2018 following the call from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to political dissidents who were living abroad for peaceful political struggle at home. He has been engaged in active political participation and related activities such as national inter-party dialogues, among others over the last years. He is also an author of a book named “A Political History of Tigray People’s Liberation Front” in addition to his other publications. During his interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Dr. Aregawi Berhe, as a longtime member of the diaspora community himself, has elaborated on the diasporas unlimited commitment and movements to the construction of GERD. Have a nice read:
To start with, how do you see the contribution of Ethiopian people to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissances Dam?
Astonishingly, the contributions of the people have been increasing day to day and year to year. As usual, the people of Ethiopia have been contributing their money, time, idea, and so on for the successful completion of the dam. Apart from the financial commitment, their participation has developed into a political and social media campaign to denounce foreign influence and intervention on the construction of the dam. Regardless of age, race, political differences and the like, therefore, the contribution of the people continue in all aspects.
As we know, the Ethiopian diasporas have been contributing to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissances Dam what they have, how do you see their commitment and contribution to GERD?
Unlike the past, these days, the diaspora communities alertly follow the socio-economic and political development of the nation, including the construction of GERD. Hence, they have been participating and contributing to the construction of the dam based on their expertise, finances, skill, knowledge and the like. Especially, these days, they support the construction of the dam through a digital or social media campaign. Consequently, it is possible to say that their contributions are not limited only to a single issue but includes every aspect of their nation.
As you said the financial contribution of the diaspora communities are significant and continue each year, how much have they contributed to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissances Dam?
Indeed, the financial contribution of the diaspora to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissances Dam has never been stopped. They have been contributing using different modalities. Apart from their devotion of time, money, expertise, knowledge and so on, they have been contributing since 2004 for the successful completion of the construction of the dam. For instance, financially, they have contributed more than one billion one hundred forty million Birr since 2011. Especially, if we see only last month or June, they have contributed over 29 million Birr through purchasing bonds, offers and pledges and the like. Therefore, financially their contribution is a lot.
The diaspora communities have been also practicing both public and citizen diplomacy to safeguard Ethiopian national interest, how far was their contribution important in the diplomatic arena?
As I said before, they have contributed their time, knowledge, expertise idea and the like. Hence, they have made remarkable work so far. The diasporas either individually or collectively have been fighting when Egyptian and Sudanese by being backed by some European countries and Arab Leagues have tried to block supports that come to Ethiopia. Additionally, the diasporas have uncovered the motives of Egypt and Sudan through different fora.
Accordingly, they have accomplished major difficult tasks which could be a milestone to their country and the successful completion of the dam. Even the recent UN Security Council meeting is a good example. As we know in that meeting the UNSC has decided to return the GERD case to AU by taking Ethiopian stances. This success is not only the government of Ethiopia but is also the collaborative determination of all stakeholders including the diasporas that play a major role. The diasporas commitment to the GERD therefore, have helped the main diplomatic effort of the country.
These days the diasporas are organizing fora to promote their national interest to the world. Would you tell us the collaboration between your organization and the diaspora communities?
The Ethiopian diasporas have been contributing a lot financially. They are also exerting themselves in diplomacy campaigns. Moreover, they have established different forums and/or networks that would help them to work together. Their connection and network have been observed in Belgium-Brussels, USA-Denver and Colorado, and then Australia- Sydney. This would help them to be alert in their national issues especially, GERD.
Likewise, to benefit their country the diaspora communities they have been collaborating with the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation to the Construction of GERD. Because they realized that the significance of collaborative efforts instead of single efforts.
Hence, the office and the diaspora community representatives have meetings through digital platforms living across the world. We discuss issues related to GERD via zoom or other social media platforms. This helped us to exchange vital information related to the dam. They are not only limited to our office, if necessary, we also facilitate other concerned government bodies to give them direction, information. Furthermore, they can also ask a question and received an explanation. Accordingly, they’re being organized to help both the government and the diaspora organization to work together closely.
Many believe that the involvement of the diaspora communities would support the major practices of once country diplomacy, does the commitment of the diaspora communities help the mainstream diplomatic practising of the nation?
Of course, we have been giving information repeatedly to the diaspora communities to equip them to practice public or citizen diplomacy. Hence, their effort and commitment help mainstream diplomacy. The ministry of Ethiopian Foreign affairs along with its ambassadors and diplomats including higher government officials have tried their best to explain the insignificant harm of the GERD to the riparian states. Along with the government efforts, the diaspora communities have been also exerting their maximum efforts to explain the significance of the dam for Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt in international media dialogues and discussions. Besides, they have been fighting foreign influence via different mechanisms. This would help them to support the mainstream diplomatic activities of the nation.
What have you done so far to the diaspora communities to work together harmoniously with countries that have similar issues like Ethiopians?
The Ethiopian diasporas are working collaboratively with other countries scholars, activists, citizens and so on that have similar issues like Ethiopia. Recently, by realizing the impact of being organized they established a network to work closely. The network is important not only to Ethiopian diasporas but also to any country with who loves and Support Ethiopia or has the same agenda just like Ethiopia. Hence, their contribution has been observed via collecting finances and wealth, in public diplomacy activities, environmental protection and media and communication activities and so on. Hence, using these platforms the diaspora working together with other counties citizens.
These activities include other African countries. Since Ethiopia is a symbol of black people freedom and independence, other African countries love and support Ethiopia during times of adversity. Hence, the collaboration and the network are very important to Ethiopia since the diaspora has raised public awareness where ever they reside.
Thank you very much!
Thank you!
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 27/2021
