Ethiopia has been leading regional efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the Horn of Africa. The country has been deploying thousands of peacekeeping forces to war-torn countries to give hope to affected communities. For this reason, the peace and stability of the region are very much intertwined with Ethiopia. From deploying peacekeeping forces to mediating warring parties, the country contributes to the wellbeing of the entire region.
Ethiopia is also an important international actor, especially with regard to combating international terrorism and extremism in the region fighting Al-shabab in Somalia. The country in this regard remains a central partner in the bilateral and regional relations with countries in the Horn. For instance, Ethiopia has elevated ties with South Sudan with the former contributing significantly to the peace-building process of the latter.
For years, Ethiopia has been playing an irreplaceable role in restoring peace and finding a political solution in the world’s newest country. And, since recently, the ties between Ethiopia and South Sudan have seen a momentum with the countries elevating cooperation in socioeconomic and political ties.
As Ethiopia faces unwarranted foreign pressure with a daunting internal problem, South Sudan is becoming a reliable partner in fending off external pressure and standing with Ethiopia. At a time when some countries are trying to take advantage of Ethiopia’s situation for their own gains, South Sudan is standing up for what is right.
South Sudan can’t allow its territory to be used against Ethiopia, South Sudanese Interior Minister Paul Mayom Akec underlined.
The Minister made the remark during a discussion he held with Ethiopia’s Ambassador in South Sudan, Nebil Mahdi.
The Interior Minister alluded to the considerable support Ethiopia provided to the cause of the South Sudanese people. The relationship between Ethiopia and South Sudan is based on strong cultural and historical values of the people of both countries, he added.
Commending PM Abiy Ahmed’s inclusive reform agendas in Ethiopia, the Minister said that the TPLF used to claim to be progressive while it was in power, but it was unfortunate that the group proved to be localist and separatist.
Interior Minister further stated that the Tigray issue is an internal Ethiopian issue and stressed that invisible hands try to use this group as an agent in exacerbating the instabilities in the Horn of Africa region and this need to be addressed diplomatically through regional platforms.
He said that regime change in the name of national dialogue is not acceptable, and reiterated that South Sudan can’t allow its territory to be used against the interests of Ethiopia.
Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Minister pointed out that it is improper to rely on colonial agreements which other riparian countries were not party to, and stated that the Nile riparian States need to utilize these waters for common development.
Ambassador Nebil on his part expressed his congratulations to the Transitional Government on the inauguration of the Reconstituted Transitional Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) and the Council of States of the Republic of South Sudan.
The ambassador also noted that the people of the two countries have deep rooted historical ties which extend beyond regimes and personalities, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Amb. Nebil further briefed the Minister about the major reforms that the Ethiopian government went through and explained to him that though every effort was exerted to make the TPLF part of the reform team, the group rejected all the pleas and continued to engage in masterminding and orchestrating every destabilizing activity and eventually attacked ENDF command stationed in Tigray region.
He informed the Minister about TPLF’s usual provocations by invading the Afar and Amhara states thereby displacing hundreds of thousands of people, massacring civilians and destroying public infrastructures etc.
The ambassador also mentioned the statement of the USAID office in Ethiopia that its warehouses of humanitarian aid supposed to be distributed for the needy have been looted by the TPLF terrorist group.
He also briefed the Minister on the tripartite talks over GERD and Ethiopia’s position of using the water equitably and without causing significant harm to other riparian states.
He also appealed to Ethiopia and other nations to support his Country towards the full implementation of the peace agreement.
Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan, Nebil Mahdi delivered a copy of the congratulatory message from Adam Farah, Speaker of the House of Federation of Ethiopia, to Rt. Deng Deng Akoon on August 31 on his appointment as the Speaker of the Council of States of South Sudan. On this occasion, Ambassador Nebil said as an IGAD member State and a close neighbor, Ethiopia continues to play its role in supporting the full implementation of the South Sudanese peace agreement.
At the occasion, the ambassador noted that the people of the two countries have deep rooted historical ties which extend beyond regimes and personalities.
Ambassador Nebil briefed the Minister about the major reforms that Ethiopian government went through, and explained to him that though every effort was exerted to make the TPLF part of the reform team, the group rejected all the pleas and continued to engage in masterminding and orchestrating every destabilizing activity and eventually attacked ENDF command stationed in Tigray region.
He informed the Minister about TPLF’s usual provocations by invading the Afar and Amhara regional states thereby displacing hundreds of thousands of people, massacring civilians and destroying public infrastructures etc.
The ambassador also mentioned the statement of the USAID office in Ethiopia that its warehouses of humanitarian aid supposed to be distributed for the needy have been looted by the TPLF terrorist group.
He also briefed the Minister on the tripartite talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Ethiopia’s position of using the water equitably and without causing significant harm to other riparian states.
Recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with President Salva Kirr of South Sudan in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia places great importance on its relation with South Sudan. In a brief update, Abiy Ahmed shared after meeting with the president, he said “…all-weather friends like South Sudan are essential in our time of need.”
The two countries have also agreed to further strengthen their bilateral relations. Abiy said the two leaders discussed about boosting economic relations between the two countries through infrastructure development.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has appreciated Ethiopian government efforts in ensuring peace and stability prevails in the world’s youngest nation.
Kiir made the remarks after his delegation concluded a one-day official visit to the Horn of African nation on Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Kiir and his visiting delegation congratulated the Ethiopian Prime Minister and his government upon the recently concluded general elections.
He also commended the successful second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and affirmed that South Sudan continues to attach great importance to relations with Ethiopia.
The South Sudanese leader further appreciated Abiy’s government efforts to safeguard the constitutional order in Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of non-interference by external parties in Ethiopia’s current domestic challenges.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SEPTEMBER 8/ 2021
