Following the reforms that have taken place in mid-2018, Ethiopia became a country that pays special attention to the diaspora and their affairs. Besides, the government has established its diaspora agency. This as a return widens the participation of the diaspora while the diasporas have also shown due concern to their country’s issues.
Accordingly, the contribution of diasporas has been increased in every direction including in health centres, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), education sectors, rehabilitating and supporting internally displaced people, remittances, financial sector, economic, investment, the fight against the Covid-19 virus and so on.
Recently, the Ethiopian diasporas who live in various countries have shown their commitment to their countries. They have also struggled with foreign intervention and external influences in various methods. However, the Ethiopian diasporas and their communities have been contributing regardless of age, sex, educational background, and so on but, those who live in counties especially the United States were striving against US sanctions and other forms of political pressure levied on Ethiopia through spreading fake information that accuses the government of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Diaspora Agency Director-General Selamawit Dawit told The Ethiopian Herald that the development of modern and up-to-date technologies has significantly facilitated for Ethiopian Diasporas to play their part in their country.
According to her, Ethiopians who live across the world have been dedicated to safeguarding their country’s national interest through digital diplomacy, various demonstration, writing letters to stand against foreign interventions and influence is noteworthy.
Indeed, the influence and the intervention of foreign countries especially, the US have been observed diversely. Among others, President Joe Biden’s executive order authorizing sanctions against officials in Ethiopia showed the extent of foreign influence.
Cognizant of this, the Ethiopian American Civic Council (EACC) strongly Objects to Biden’s Executive Order and urges the US to Stop Cajoling Terrorist TPLF. According to the Council, President Joe Biden’s executive order authorizing sanctions against officials in Ethiopia for simply taking part in defence of the territorial integrity of Ethiopia and the rule of law. Moreover, the Council noted the executive order negates the fact that the TPLF is the main hindrance to the peace process of the nation.
Apart from this, Ethiopia is a sovereign nation with full rights as a member of the United Nations to manage its internal affairs in compliance with international law, the Council stated. Hence, “We believe the Biden Administration’s Executive Order violates Ethiopia’s sovereign power to govern its internal affairs by compelling the Abiy Administration to negotiate with TPLF without any preconditions. This blatant violation of Ethiopia’s sovereignty by the Biden Administration has also shown complete disregard for Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives, which designate TPLF as a “terrorist” entity,” it noted.
To set the record straight, Council recalled that soon after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed power, he worked diligently to negotiate political settlements with the TPLF leadership, but to no avail. TPLF initiated the current conflict by attacking the federal base on November 3, 2020, the Council, added that the TPLF-initiated war devastated the Tigray region instantly, and their forces were no match for the federal force.
However, eight months into the fighting, to save lives and give humanitarian access, the Abiy Administration declared a unilateral ceasefire in the Tigray region in June 2021. The TPLF used the ceasefire to regroup and attack civilians and civilian infrastructures in the Amhara and Afar regions, it pointed out. It has been widely reported that terrorist TPLF guerrilla fighters are indiscriminately attacking historical churches, hospitals, and schools throughout these regions.
Despite the catastrophic humanitarian crisis created by the TPLF, the Abiy Administration has taken measured actions against TPLF to avert bloodshed, the Councils stated. The Council further called on the Biden Administration to commend Prime Minister Abiy for his ongoing effort to deescalate the conflict initiated and perpetuated by the TPLF.
“The only hindrance to peace remains the TPLF. Thus, the Biden Administration is wrong to issue the Executive Order compelling Ethiopia to negotiate with an outlawed TPLF that is directly responsible for the current humanitarian catastrophe.” The Council further urged the Biden Administration to stop cajoling the terrorist TPLF.
The Biden Administration should rescind its Executive Order to establish sanctions targeting officials in Ethiopia, it underlined. “It is a wrong approach and will further fracture the two nations’ bilateral relationship. The Executive Order will only harm the already strained Ethio-US relations and will not contribute to peace in the Horn of Africa.”
EACC is a nonpartisan association of pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders that advocates for respect for human rights and the rule of law in Ethiopia.
The move by the US against the current Ethiopian government has started during the Trump regime. During his time, he has been forcing Ethiopia to accept an agreement that affects not only the current generation’s developmental needs but also the further generation’s developmental needs.
The Democratic Party that swapped the Trump administration has moved severely against Ethiopian economic and development needs. Moreover, President Biden Administration, without taking Ethiopia’s commitment, unity, brevity, and passion for their country, have signed the executive order. This move has entertained criticism from all Ethiopians regardless of age, educational background, profession, and so on.
According to Cyber Security Specialist and Former Member of the US Department of Defense Oliver Thomas Undue pressure on poor countries through the use of sanction, propaganda, or intimidation for interest is inhuman and imperialistic. “If we truly believe in democracy and that it is right for people to rule themselves, it would be hypocritical for us to try to control other people,” he pointed out.
Here the very question is why is the US pressuring Ethiopians through sanctions? In an open letter Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden this week, he noted that “The American people and the rest of the Western world are being misguided by the reports, narratives and data distortions of global entities many believe were driven to help impoverished countries like mine, yet have in the past months portrayed victims as oppressors and oppressors as victims through partisan narratives and bankrolled networks”.
Giving clear information is very significant to aware the international communities regarding the atrocity of the terrorist TPLF group deed. For this, the work of Ethiopian diasporas, their civil organization, and diaspora communities need further appreciation. Besides their devotion needs to be further strengthened.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
ETHIOPIAN HERALD 21 SEPTEMBER 2021
