A famous saying by the Roman general Vegetius goes “If you need peace prepare for war” War is a devastating phenomenon for both parties. But since it is an inevitable phenomenon in human life it is found to be well prepared so as to protect oneself from aggression as well as to fend of the offensive with little cost.
States get into a war for various reasons such as ethnic tensions, poverty, insurgent movement, and so on. Since the beginning of reforms in Ethiopia in mid-2018, the country has been challenged with several problems namely internal displacement, the issue of GERD, foreign intervention and influence. These situations change the thinking of diasporas and they stand together to contribute to the country.
In the same way Ethiopia has been preventing any possible outbreak of war through diplomatic and peaceful means. Unfortunately it is forced in to confrontation when the war mongering terrorist group TPLF launched attack against the northern command of the ENDF late last year. This calls for the collaboration of all citizens both at home and abroad to support the army to wind up the defensive and law enforcement operation with victory and minimal cost.
Especially, following the attack of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) Base located in the Tigray region and attempted to rob the northern command of artillery and military equipment by the terrorist TPLF, the Ethiopian diasporas living across the world intensifies their commitment and contribution to ENDF. Besides, the diasporas have exposed the conspiracy and sabotage of the terrorist TPLF group. The group, against the national interest and territorial integrity of the nation, aligned with Ethiopian historical enemies and external forces to disintegrate the country.
Taking the ongoing destructive movement and actions of the terrorist TPLF group, the government of Ethiopia calls the people, wherever they are, to contribute to the ENDF. The Ethiopian diasporas across the world have been giving swift responses to government calls.
Ethiopian Diaspora Agency Communication Director Wondosen Grima told the Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopian diasporas have committed to contributing their time, money, and so on to Ethiopian National Defense Force. The Agency Director-General, Selamawit Dawit said that Ethiopia has obtained more than 668 million USD in remittance over the past two months (July and August). Apart from their firm commitment to their country, the diaspora communities are contributing a lot to various development projects and humanitarian support in the country. More specifically, Ethiopians in the diaspora have contributed more than 59. 8 million Birr in support of the ENDF.
Military operation indeed requires support and determination from society. French philosopher, historian of ideas, writer, political activist, and literary critic Paul-Michel Foucault addresses the relationship between power and knowledge, and how they are used as a form of social control through societal institutions. Foucault (1996: 415) in the book “the military dimension of society” underlined that the conduct of war requires a society to cooperate in performing complex tasks on a large scale. Societies can fight wars because they can cooperate at the internal level. On the other hand, they feel compelled to fight other societies because they often find it difficult to cooperate at the external level. The very act of fighting outsiders may make it easier to cooperate internally. Unless war is a civil war or highly unpopular domestically, there is a curious sense in which a state at war is also a state at peace.
According to Wondwosen, Ethiopian diaspora across the world have been participating per their ability, capacity, educational background, and so on. Hence, they have registered fruitful results.
Nigist Yirga has been giving voluntary services to ENDF since the government of Ethiopia declares a unilateral ceasefire. According to her, the Ethiopian diasporas who live in Colorado, and Manchester have donated more than Birr 500,000 to the ENDF. Along with her partners, hence, she has prepared various food for the Defense Force from the money she got from the diasporas.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony at Meskel Square, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said “on behalf of the people and the government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all Ethiopian diasporas resides around the world for their support when Ethiopia needed help.”
In the last three years, the Ethiopian diasporas have been working in public diplomacy to defend the national interest of their country. Apart from the provision of resources to national projects, they have been collecting resources for ENDF in response to the national call of the country. This needs to be appreciated, he said.
Currently, the contribution of the diasporas has transformed into multidimensional aspects which is from resources and wealth provision into blood donation. Unlike in the past, the diasporas who are coming from different parts of the world donated blood to ENDF.
Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora Action Council have conducted a blood donation program for the ENDF. Chief Coordinator of the Council Alebachew Desalegn said the donation of blood indicates that how Ethiopian are bounded through blood.
The donation also shows the solidarity, unity, togetherness, and oneness of the people of Ethiopia. Even though we are not living permanently and present physically, our spirit, bond, attachment, and so on are with our country, he further explained.
Current warfare is being influenced by various resources. Hence, it requires highly organized societies that could be a backbone for the defence forces. The contribution of diaspora communities is important in this matter.
Chief of ENDF Blood Bank Lt. Gen. Berhanu Kasaye in his part expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian diaspora for their support to the army. “The diasporas, who reside and come from far away, donation of the best and most precious blood would be a great morale for our army,” he said.
A diaspora from Norway Ethiopia Alemayew said the Defense force has been safeguarding the country from internal and external anti-peace forces. Hence, the donation of the blood is an indication of our togetherness with the Ethiopian National Defense force.
A diaspora who came from US Befikadu Terefe explained that “apart from material support, we are so happy when we donate our blood to our army. Ethiopia needs to celebrate the efforts of its citizens to reverse the war that was waged by the terrorist TPLF groups. So, he called others diaspora to do the same thing for their country”.
“Apart from the blood donation, there should be a way to provide permanent support to members of the Defense Forces and their families who are making sacrifices during the law enforcement operation and the current campaign against the terrorist TPLF incursion”, Alebachew suggested.
According to Lt. Gen. Berhanu, the donation of the blood is very important not only for the army that is taking part on law enforcement operation but also important others members of the society who needs blood due to natural disasters and so on.
It is true that taking the various activities and efforts of the government, the ongoing attempt of foreign influence and intervention as well as the terrorist TPLF incursion into consideration, the Ethiopian diaspora across the globe, have significantly contributed per their ability, capacity, educational background, and so on. These contributions further developed into blood donation which is the most valuable contribution for ENDF. This donation is highly expected to motivate others to contribute to their country more advanced way.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD OCTOBER 10/2021
