Humanitarian entities inhumane coercion against Ethiopia

 Professor Brook Hailu Beshah speaks

 BY STAFF REPORTERS

 For decades Ethiopians in the diaspora have been contributing to their country’s political and economic development in different ways. For instance when the country was suffering under harsh ruling of the now terrorist TPLF, they joined the struggle through voicing the plights of the people at home by holding demonstrations and using other forums abroad.

After the country started moving on the path of reform during the last three years, the diaspora were ardent in propping up the reformist governments endeavors in various ways. While they are working towards this, they have also come across another front where their active involvement is highly required. The country’s national interest and sovereignty has fallen at stake due to the unfair stance of country’s like the US, European countries, the UN and some international organizations in connection with the ongoing law enforcement operation in Tigray.

However, the Ethiopians through their communities, associations and related institutions in their respective countries of residence are striving to safeguard the interest, sovereignty and wellbeing of their motherland, Ethiopia.

Among them a team of Ethiopian diaspora communities in the US headed by Professor Brook Hailu Beshah, has paid a working visit to various parts of the country and carried out observations as well as humanitarian support to compatriots displaced by recent conflicts. The team has also held various activities that can assist the diaspora efforts of supporting their country and compatriots at this critical moment. The Ethiopian Press Agency has interviewed Professor Brook on the objectives of the team as well as on how the diaspora is struggling to lessen foreign pressure and preclude intervention against Ethiopia. Excerpts:

 Previously members of the Ethiopian diaspora community were well known for their opposition against the ruling. But following the reform in the country, they are well known for their support. They are mobilizing all their resource to gain justice for their country. They have now paid a visit and provided support for displaced people in various areas. Could you tell us about the process of mobilizing these members of the diaspora?

As the diaspora who have lived in the USA for a long time, our primary aim is always about caring for our country. Previously, many of the Diasporas were known for opposition [against the previous regime]; they participate in demonstrations and echoing their voice to the country. However, since the last three years, the community has observed an optimistic future with the reform government’s policies and actions, the majority of the Ethiopian Diaspora community has become a supporter.

We represent 13 civic organizations. Our objective is to see the people closely, to demonstrate that we never let them down, share their pain, visit the people and provide some assistance as per our culture. To do this we teamed up into two groups and headed to the north and south parts of the country. The motive is to show our concern to our country practically, to work in collaboration with our people, fill gaps, receive advice, and show our readiness to collaborate with government and civic organizations.

During the US presidential election, you had hopes that the Biden administration would improve the Ethiopia-US ties, has Biden met your expectations?

During Biden’s election, I was here in Ethiopia due to my work with Addis Ababa University. I even have voted. But I believe that we have suffered a loss for voting Biden. We had a great expectation that democrats would rectify the distortions by the Trump administration. Because in the history of democrats, as we know democrats, in their nature, are progressive and have a great commitment for minorities, blacks, Africans, developing country like Ethiopia and so on. Hence much has been expected from them. However, it turned out to be the opposite. As you indicated there are various reasons for this.

First, those who were in power during the Obama administration are now back in place in the Biden administration again. Second, the previous ruling party that had led Ethiopia for the last 30 years had managed to strengthen its network. This is what is making us pay a price. The now terrorist TPLF has maintained relations at places of power corridor.

But one thing that we shouldn’t forget is that when we say diaspora, it doesn’t mean we are the same and have the same aims. Some membersof the diaspora think and do good things for their country while others are proponents of the past system by the resources they have. They are playing their connections against Ethiopia by employing lobby firms and promising their votes during elections. However, thanks to Ethiopians who are devoted and committed to their nation, their attempts haven’t been successful.

The coercion comes from people of the black community, why is that?

You are right. When we were attacked by foreign powers during the Battle of Mayhew, black Americas like Colonel Robinson, Baptist church, African-Americans, and even some people gave us voluntary military services to the extent of establishing the Ethiopian Air force. So, they have a good reputation.

But now some of them seem to side with TPLF as they consider that they are helping minority people. They must see all Ethiopians equally.

So, a lot of work is expected from our side, whether in this group or others. For instance, I involve in four civic organizations like Ethiopian American  Civic Council, Ethiopian Advocacy, North Carolina Civic Society Council, and also Global Ethiopian Advocacy Network (GLEAN). GLEAN is lobbying through its Ethiopian Political Action Council (EPAC), to reverse the negative thought that they have. We are also working with a media campaign to get the upper hand. They have also done a lot of works to confuse black Americans, so we have to win over that.

How do you try to influence those in power?

The election is held every two years in America for the lower house and the election campaign will start after two months. Accordingly, we have repeatedly told them that they will not get our vote  if they don’t change their mind. We have told them that they are doing something that damages the century-old strong relations between the US and Ethiopia. We are somehow succeeding and a lot of work also remains ahead.

Regarding elections, the last two or three days ago, we had a high-level meeting that was organized by our members in California and we inform the Californian woman that she won’t win our support. We have told her and her allies that they are victims of lies. So we are going to show [the power of] our votes. We were able to win democrats two senatorial positions. I have also participated in it. This way we have to be able to transform American politics and we will. Ethiopia is our homeland and we will pay any price. Supporters of the past regime would not be allowed to hijack Ethiopia’s agenda. When our brothers shed their blood, what we are doing is much lesser here. We are raising money, knowledge. We are also establishing Ethiopians Alumni in every university. We are also forming unions. We are working with perseverance. The battle is underway both at home and abroad. The difference is no bullet is fired abroad. A single bullet can kill only one person. But a lie can purge thousands.

There are claims by many that the U.S. and other international humanitarian and aid agencies in Ethiopia do not align their stances on humanitarian and issues of principle. For example, they have overlooked the terrorist TPLF’s provocative acts against Afar pastoralists and the Sudanese aggression  against Ethiopia. These countries and agencies also remain silent on the Mai Kadra massacre. How do you see these claims that these agencies act out of principle and humanity?

It’s right! You raised the fundamental question. I even think they shut their eyes to these very facts. Their stance is wrong and heartbreaking. We are citizens and taxpayers of America, but the Biden administration, the congress and the state department takes one side stance against our motherland. It made us angry, it must change.

As you said, though it is clear about who, when and how the conflict was started on November 04, up to now they didn’t officially condemn the aggressor, terrorist TPLF. They closed their eyes. They say nothing about who ignited the conflict. This is heartbreaking.

In addition, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force controls Mekelle after three weeks of operation and the people of Tigray started breathing an air of freedom, they said nothing. They are focusing only on blaming the Ethiopian government.

Thirdly, when the government withdraws its troops from Tigray, on the heels of the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, to pave the way for humanitarian assistance for the people of Tigray, They kept on blaming the government. WFP, OCHA, UNICEF and other agencies blame only the Ethiopian government related to humanitarian access, though it opens the humanitarian corridor for free access to humanitarian needs. When government

 calls the humanitarian and aid agencies to distribute the humanitarian aid by themselves, they didn’t even give attention to follow the distribution. There is no report or clear answer for the proper distribution of aid for the needy or not. They didn’t report their activities in Tigray to the Ethiopian government.

When the Ethiopian troops were in Tigray, they were busy blaming Ethiopian troops. But, after Ethiopian troops withdraw from Tigray, these international aid agencies never blame the responsible group there.

Other African countries as well are observing the biasedness of the agencies. Is there any probability that the partiality of such humanitarian agencies would risk their very existence?

Why not? It will challenge their existence. They would also feel that they would be next. By the way, those African states remain silent for these evil acts on Ethiopia; they may face similar mistreatment if similar crises happen in their respective countries.

When the UN charter was established in 1944, its aim and goal were maintaining stability, peace and security of the world. When we ask this question that does the UN is working to maintain peace and security, it is questionable.

Sadly, although the UN knows who is disturbing Ethiopia and the initiator of the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, they said nothing and no international organization condemns the acts of the TPLF terrorist group. Though they didn’t

 condemn the real aggressor, they blame the Ethiopian government day and night. This clearly shows they take a side.

Not only the UN and other humanitarian and aid agencies, the non-permanent seat states at UNSC like Ireland, Norway and previously Estonia and related countries stood with countries like the US and England to influence Ethiopia. They held more than six closed meetings and one open session at UNSC on the Ethiopian issue. They aimed to pass a strong resolution against Ethiopia including sanctions, though it was vetoed by China, Russia, India and African countries.

This tells us that there is a clear conspiracy against the Ethiopian government. I will repeat it; the current external coercion against Ethiopia could happen to other countries tomorrow in their effort of dealing with own problems with own means. It is a red line and a clear message for African and Latin American Countries. I don’t think that every country should wait until they face the same problem. This is the time to stand together.

Thank you very much for your time!

Thank you

The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2021