BY STAFF REPORTER
Unknowingly or calculatingly some have been lending the terrorist TPLF a helping hand through digital media peculiarly centering falsehood fabrications and fabricated narratives.
In the present climate, Ethiopia has been making use of digital diplomacy for the sake of fighting against misinformation, cooked up stories, and more of the same despite the degree various once in a while. On top of that, digital diplomacy plays a very important role in bringing the existing reality of one’s nation into contact with the international community.
Even though most nations worldwide have been getting themselves engaged in digital diplomacy to promote their country’s national identity in many ways and further a nation’s foreign policy, there are still some gaps to be bridged.
As learned from an article entitled, “Foreign Policy in an area of digital diplomacy, digital diplomacy is solving foreign policy problems using the internet. It is conventional diplomacy through a different medium. Through the web, we can listen, publish, engage and evaluate in new and interesting ways. Crucially, we can also widen our reach and communicate directly with civil society as well as governments and influential individuals.
If we don’t take up the digital debate, we lose our argument by default. Many of our partners, particularly those outside government, have an established digital presence, engaged audiences, and expertise in achieving goals online.
Digital diplomacy could be tracked back to public diplomacy, any of numerous government-sponsored determinations at collaborating directly with foreign publics. It also helps understand cultures, attitudes, and behaviors, build and manage relationships and influence thoughts and mobilize actions to advance interests and values.
In the present circumstances, Ethiopian embassies based in various parts of the world have been discharging their duties and responsibilities with flying colors.
Following the attack carried out by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Ethiopian ambassadors residing in various parts of the world have been getting themselves engaged in several effective strategies more than ever before.
Though some international media outlets make an effort to tarnish the good image of the country by partaking in a broad range of cooked-up stories, Ethiopian ambassadors housing themselves in various parts of the world have been counteracting their disinformation campaign.
By the same token, as some international media outlets have been working in close collusion with the terrorist Junta group bringing into play a wide spectrum of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the internet, and things of that sort, the wished-for target has not been attained as it should be.
It is to be recalled that although the government of Ethiopia made the whole thing clearer regarding the intended target of the law enforcement operations and what the terrorist group has been working behind closed curtains, the international community was not that interested in lending its ears.
According to information obtained from the Office of the Prime Minister, the attack on the Northern Command of the National Defense Force — a significant portion of the army accounting for the bulk of Ethiopia’s most experienced ground combat forces — was aimed at destroying the capability of the army to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The TPLF calculated that by defeating a division with significant firepower and taking possession of its military equipment, it would shift the balance of power in its favor and remove the federal government by force.
“The TPLF junta sponsored, trained, and equipped anyone willing to engage in violent and illegal acts to derail the democratic transition in Ethiopia. Their objective is clearly to make the country ungovernable by instigating clashes along ethnic and religious lines; to sow division and discord so that the democratic transition will lose its momentum.”
“The TPLF clique and its criminal surrogates are responsible for the horrendous crimes in several parts of the country, including in Western Gondar, the destruction of the town of Shashemene, and the massacres of innocent civilians in the areas of Arsi, Bale, Benishangul, Gura Ferda and most recently in Western Wollega. The TPLF, acting in blatant violation of the FDRE Constitution, claimed to have adopted its own electoral law, established its own electoral commission, and orchestrated a sham and illegal election in which it won all the seats in the Regional Council. By doing so, the Regional administration showed its contempt for laws of the nation, including the Constitution, and pushed a “de facto” statehood thesis.”
Sad as it might sound, though the government of Ethiopia pulled out all the stops to familiarize the international community with the existing reality on the ground, the latter kept on turning a blind eye. Despite the challenges, Ethiopian ambassadors have been working hard to achieve the intended target. They have been carrying out a wide array of undertakings with a view to making the international community familiarized with the existing reality on the ground.
Be that as it may, on august 19, 2021 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia launched an online service for the diplomatic community and international organizations, according to information obtained from MoFA.
Addis Ababa-based embassies, international and regional organizations, and their employees will get quality and efficient services with the online service.
State Minister, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano said the Ministry launched the online service continuing its endeavors to provide quality services to customers.
She also said the Ministry would implement special features in the future to enhance the service. The online service is a joint venture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
According to Faisal Alie, Director General of Protocol Affairs at the Ministry, the applications give service to quests for diplomatic privileges, immunity service, VIP saloon, and visa service.
Diplomats and high-level government officials have attended the launching ceremony.
Nowadays, Ethiopian Diasporas residing in various parts of the world have been joining Twitter campaign against.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, a resident of Addis Ababa who goes by the name of Tigistu Birhanu, said regarding digital diplomacy, “Ethiopians regardless of sexual category, ethnic background, religious affiliations, and things of that short should play a significant role in defending their motherland bringing into play Facebook and Twitter. In doing so, they can foil the hidden agenda of the terrorist TPLF Junta officials that have been perplexing the international community from time to time.”
“The Twitter camping that has been taking place all over the world by Ethiopians has been bearing fruits. Ethiopians are working in union with the intention of sterilizing the evil deeds of the terrorist TPLF Junta officials. As the terrorist TPLF Junta officials are enemies of the various Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia, we should all do everything we can making use of different communication channels.
We should do the whole thing we can to pour cold water on the efforts of the terrorist TPLF and its accomplices. Above and beyond, the educated segment of the society should work hand in glove to counter cooked up stories.” he wrapped up.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD AUGUST 25/ 2021
