BY GIRMACEHW GASHAW
In the Herald Guest page of the Ethiopian Herald has presented the interview with Professor AdemKamil on Ethiopia’s diplomatic ties with the Middle East. Part II of the interview is presented as follows; have a nice read!
Some politicians say that the relations between Ethiopia and Turkey should further be strengthened as it has insulated from the influence of world powers. As a lecturer and researcher who conducted a study in the area, what is your reflection in this regard?
By advancing the relationship it has with the Turkish government, Ethiopia can have a chance to enhance economic cooperation and maximize its benefit as Turkey has insulated from the influence of world powers. Whatever the ideology Ethiopia follows, Turkey has no interest and tendency to be involved in the domestic affairs of Ethiopia.
As we saw, some Arab countries like Saudi Arabia displaced Ethiopians who had been working and living there for many years. What should be the diplomatic line Ethiopia should follow concerning the Arab world in general and Saudi Arabia in particular?
If we approach the Arab world, problems always exist. The Arab League cannot solve the problem of the continent. The relation between Ethiopia and Arab countries should be based on the give and take principle. However, we can do various tasks by strengthening the people-to-people relations and economic ties. Respecting the interest of our country, we can deal with them through the give-and-take principle. They hold and try to inject their agenda when a given country requested them to work for mutual interest The second thing that we need to consider is that, let alone solving Africa’s issue, the Arab league countries could not solve their agenda. For instance, they also couldn’t address the issue of Yemen andSyria, among others.
As their population increases, the demand for food and water is escalating. We thus make ourselves ready to export what we have to benefit from them by fulfilling the demand. Ethiopia is ready to work together with any country as far as we gain benefit out of the bilateral tie. We need to sell what we have.
The measure the Saudi government took on Ethiopia is not seen easily. They decided to return Ethiopians who have been working there for years to fulfill the desire and interest of Egyptian President Al-sis. They did not know Ethiopia; as the country can [potentially] feed more than 250 million people at a time. This may initiate the people of Ethiopia to work hard by standing in unison to change the image of the country than ever before. I may guess that the day for Ethiopia’s victory is approaching. But the important question we need to ask ourselves is how much we knew Ethiopia – the country we live in. Now is the time to know it well. If we can work and produce aggressively, we will never face a shortage of resources.
Would you please elaborate further on the issue of Ethiopians who are currently residing in Saudi Arabia? What is the reality behind this tragedy? What do you suggest?
June 9 and 18 were two unforgettable days in the history of Ethiopia when foreign powers tried to destabilize Ethiopia by making a coup. On June 9, Egyptian President Al Sisi invited Heir to the Saudi throne in a place called Sharm el Sheik. He then asked him to displace Ethiopians residing in Egypt for the sake of putting pressure against the Ethiopian government.
Accordingly, he assigned one general to change the dialogue to action. However, no Ethiopian citizen has been labelled as a terrorist there. The Duke ordered its military forces to hunt Ethiopians and deport them without any precondition. Accordingly, they deported 42,000 Ethiopians.
On June 18, the Egyptian President sent his Special Security Advisor General AbasGamil to Sudan to realize the plan of destabilizing Ethiopia before it conducted a general election by June 22. However, the Sudanese people and government were not willing to cooperate with them. Now, we hear that the Sudanese military general has been accused.
Without limits itself by this, Egypt again claims the land it connects with Sudan named Halaib Triangle. During the time, the flight taken to Addis Ababa was banned as Egyptian media were told that there was no peace in Ethiopia. As a result, their plan was in vain. On June 22, Ethiopia conducted elections peacefully and democratically.
This month, Ethiopia has made two historically cherished tasks, one is the filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the other is, it conducted the election 2021 peacefully. If we will pass the third problem which is created in the northern part, Ethiopia laid a cornerstone for peace, security would be maintained and the country would engage in development in full swing.
Could you tell us the per cent scenario between Ethiopia and neighbouring Sudan? Do you think the marriage between Egypt and Sudan will continue as it is? What will happen?
In history, Sudan never thought about the wellbeing of Ethiopia however on contrary Ethiopia has a kind heart for its neighbours. If one refers to documents written in the Arabic language, he/she can understand the hidden agenda of Sudan over Ethiopia which warns Ethiopia to carefully watch out for its relation.
Though there is a border dispute with Sudan, We (Ethiopians) should not engage in war before exploiting all diplomatic options. However, if Ethiopia is forced to engage in war, we can defend ourselves using military operations as the sovereignty of the country has been protected.
Concerning the border issue, Ethiopia and Sudan have been making deliberations for the last 25 years. So, nothing is pushing them to engage in the border conflict. Sudan assumed that Ethiopia lost much of its weapons and got weakened due to the war held with the TPLF junta. After Sudan occupied Ethiopia’s land, over 1,700 farmers were displaced from their villages.
Many Sudanese people recognized Ethiopians considering its role played so far to protect its neighbour from being disintegrated like Libya, Syria and Yemen. If we want to interfere in their internal affairs, we can do so but it is not necessary as we are neighbouring countries that aspire to strengthen cooperation in many respects.
The border issue should be solved through intensive dialogue. Since the demarcation point set by colonial powers has not been accepted by Ethiopia. What should be clear to all is, the demarcation process will also take ample time.
Some Egyptians communicate with Sudan to relocate some Sudanese to BeniShangulGumuz State of Ethiopia thereby impeding the GERD. Here, Sudan’s move should not be seen positively.
At this moment from Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan to the Cabinet, Sudanese turned their face to Egypt. They are strongly debating on the Hala’ib triangle. Previously, the two created unison to disturb Ethiopia. Sudanese elites are not following the military as they were recalling what the Ethiopian government and people did for the consensus to create and maintain lasting peace in Sudan. They took a stance not to support any military campaign over Ethiopia.
On our part, the point that we should give great concern is diplomacy. We remain to do numerous tasks and follow up the sabotage planned and written in Arabic media outlets. If we stand in unison for the overall prosperity of Ethiopia, no one could be a threat to us.
Ethiopia is a great country with a long history. If you look at the US, Trump did not properly transfer the authority to Biden due to loss of appetite or mistrust of the election. However, in Ethiopia, no problem was created during and after the election. We are proud of our country! If things go to normal circumstances, Ethiopia will have the potential to feed even the Middle East countries.
As many people think, Egypt has a desire to stop or elongate the effort to fill the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD). Do you think the prime agenda of Egypt is this? What do you see?
In Egypt, there are almost 30,000 Saudi companies and more than seven million Saudi citizens live in Egypt. These people have invested 30 Billion USD there. If GERD is finalized, they assume that the Saudi investors will turn faces to Ethiopia. This is the point that we (Ethiopians) misunderstood. We are now getting greater acceptance by the African countries following Egypt’s trial to make the issue of GERD an Afro-Arab agenda. Considering that they will face the same challenge, other Nile riparian countries stand by the side of the Ethiopian government.
In the UN council meeting, China, Russia and India have been standing by the side of Ethiopia. Why do you think that has happened? There is a water dispute between America and Mexico which is not been resolved. China also has the same issues with Japan. The issue of the dam has never been presented to the UN Security Council as a point of deliberation.
So far, Egyptians had designed eight ways to destabilize Ethiopia but none of them were successful. We will not fear the sanction which will be imposed by the US as world countries such as Iran still exist without the support of the US. We get 0.25 USD for a dollar. If we produce more, we can feed ourselves.
Thank you very much!
You are most welcome
The Ethiopian Herald September 4/2021
