ADDIS ABABA- Resident ambassadors to Ethiopia said that Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s meticulous leadership to forge peace with Eritrea at swift pace is the landmark diplomatic achievement of his first-year premiership.
Ambassadors of South Sudan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sweden told The Ethiopian Herald that EthioEritrea rapprochement is crucial to ensure Ethiopia’s internal security and bring new horizon of hope in the Horn of Africa. South Sudan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, James Pitia Morgan said that the exchange visits Prime Minister Abiy and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki made to Asmara and Addis Ababa open a big window of opportunity and restored all the hope that was almost lost during the two- decade long no war no peace situation.
The ambassador indicated that the visits are also symbolic gestures in affirming the fact that the two countries relation is transforming from hesitation and hostility to exemplary neighborliness. He said that Dr. Abiy is accustomed to lead by example and his visit to Juba with President Isaias aimed to send message of reconciliation and friendship to the people of South Sudan particularly those who are still carrying guns.
“Premier Abiy has a vison to a peaceful and prosperous East Africa and has played a unique role in South Sudan peace talks,” Morgan noted, adding that the Ethiopian leader encouraged President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his ex-deputy Dr. Riek Machar to resolve their longstanding political disputes through negotiations. According to the ambassador, Dr. Abiy’s efforts culminated into the signing of Peace Agreement in Addis Ababa last September and the accord has been proven fruitful in restoring peace and ending hostilities in South Sudan.
Following the signing of Addis Ababa’s agreement, guns are silenced and many of the refugees decided to voluntarily back to home. Noting the PM’s iconic role to reconcile Djibouti and Eritrea and then Eritrea with Somalia, Morgan indicated that Dr. Abiy have also crucial contribution in encouraging the three countries to sign the tripartite peace agreement. Furthermore, he is brokering peace between Kenya and Somalia envisioned the East African countries focus on peace and development.
By the same token, UAE’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Mohammed Salem Al-Rashidi for his part said that Ethiopia become a starting point for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Ethiopian-Eritrean rapprochement has become a model for other countries in the region. Ambassador Mohammed said that Premier Abiy’s Ethio-Eritrea peace restoration symbolize his ambition to achieve everlasting peace and stability as well as sustainable development and regional integration in the Horn of Africa.
The ambassador noted that Dr. Abiy’s keenness to develop ties of friendship and cooperation with the UAE has contributed to boosting the bilateral relations and raising the level of cooperation to wider horizons, especially with his direct relations with the leadership of the country. UAE companies have shown a growing interest to invest in Ethiopia, he said, adding that the planned La Gare Downtown Project in Addis Ababa comprises of the biggest mall in Africa, apartments, schools, among others and it is expected to play a significant role in changing the image of the city and the country at large.
Swedish Ambassador to Ethiopia Torbjörn Pettersson said that the premiership of Abiy is instrumental in building real stability and democratic development desired by the Ethiopian people. His decision to open the border and bring peace with Eritrea would also have paramount importance in ensuring economic integration in the Horn of Africa. “Abiy’s prioritizing regional diplomacy is very crucial because Ethiopia’s security and economic development is primarily dependent on the region it has situated,” he said, adding that the relationship cultivated with both Eritrea and Somalia is significant for Ethiopia to obtain additional access to the sea.
The ambassador pointed out that securing alternate ports would have strategic importance to Ethiopia’s goal of sustaining the economic success and accelerating its move to join the club of middle- income economies. Pettersson indicated that Abiy’s one-year premiership has also been witnessed successful in widening political space, reinforcing the role of women in high-level decisionmaking bodies as well as increasing media freedom and invigorating the rule of law.
Sweden welcomes the steps Ethiopia has taken in the macroeconomic reforms and expressed optimism that companies would capitalize on the privatization decree to involve in the latter’s market. It is recalled Dr. Abiy Ahmed took Office as the Prime Minister on this day last year.
The Ethiopian Herald, April 2/2019
BY BILAL DERSO
