With its historical victory against colonialism, Ethiopia has been playing a key role in the independence of Africa. Ethiopia was able to play a very important role as a mediator between various groups in the continent particularly, the Monrovia and the Casablanca groups.
Scholars, who have been activism for the freedom of blacks’ people, have used Ethiopian independence history as the cornerstone. This gives Ethiopia a special leadership place in Pan-Africanism allocators of African descendants and diasporas across the globe.
Speaking of the inaugural ceremony of the newly formed government, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopia has played a vital role in the continent during the struggle against apartheid and anti-colonialism systems. Ethiopia is a unique country that has a special place in the heart of black liberty fighters Marcus Garvey and Du Bois.
He further explained that “Ethiopia is also an icon of truth and African identity as described by Nelson Mandela. We have to show the successful history of our forefathers and change our prosperity goals into practice to convince those who challenge us today that we are not capable of walking our talk”.
Ethiopia has indeed played an indispensable role since Ethiopia has been echoing the voice of oppressed people both in battle and the world diplomacy arena. Magnifying the value of African unity and identity, each Ethiopian successive regime regardless of political beliefs, ideology, foreign policy approaches, and so on has shown unreserved commitment in supporting the freedom of black people. Black people, across the world, are citing Ethiopia as a proud black race and have been struggling with the ideological concept of Pan-Africans.
Among others, history has remembered Marcus Garvey and Du Bois for the concept of Pan-Africanism. Garvey and Du Bois had some differences on the future of blacks living outside Africa. Du Bois maintained that blacks outside Africa should struggle for the respect of their rights in the countries they lived in while Garvey argue that the only further for blacks in America was to return to Africa. Despite their differences, they have used Ethiopia as a symbol of struggle.
Graham A. Duncan (2015), in the article “Ethiopianism in Pan-African perspective, 1880-1920” stated that “The Ethiopian movement facilitated the promotion of the nineteenth century, and later, Pan-African nationalism which transcended Western imported denominationalism and united black people”. Hence, the Ethiopian movement arose at a time when black people were developing a strong sense of self-worth (black consciousness) and self-reliance sourced in mission education (a Christian stimulus), where the spirit of pan-nationalism was fostered by young people from the African continent coming together to be educated.
Cognizant of the nation’s history, Ethiopia is taken as the mother of black people. Black people whether in Africa or elsewhere see Ethiopia as a mother who showed the direction from darkness to light, colonization to independence, and so on.
According to Prime Minister Abiy, like our forefathers who passed to us a country in which we Ethiopians live proudly, we will also hand over to our children a country that is a symbol of freedom in Horn Africa.
In the mammoth gathering at Meskel Square for the inaugural ceremony of the newly formed government president of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta said that “Ethiopia is the mother of Africa African independence. Ethiopia is the only un-colonized nation, stood firm with our brothers and sisters to ensure that African people were free to determine their destiny. Furthermore, he depicted so for all of us, on the continent, Ethiopia is our mother and as well as we all know if a mother is not at peace neither can the family at peace.
Motherhood is an important aspect of Ethiopian culture. The nation believes that mothers paid self-sacrificing and suffer for society. The nation “Ethiopia” is symbolized by the mother. The nation called “mam land, motherland, our mother Ethiopia, mother of Ethiopian mosaic and so on”. Besides, motherhood has a strong attachment with the nation’s socio-political situation the nation and even the Ethiopian Renowned King of Ethiopia who had won the battle of Adwa called “Emeye Menelik”.
It is time now, efforts, devotion and scarifies that Ethiopia paid and the name that symbolized Ethiopia as a mother, to be tested with the coming of the new government. Because the government pledged to use the diaspora and diaspora communities for the development and prosperity endeavour of the country’s “new beginning”.
Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, the inaugural speech to form the new Ethiopian government in parliament said that in our long history, our country, Ethiopia has never been surrendered its sovereignty and national interest to any force, Eternal Glory and praise to our Ancestors, but Ethiopia has always a symbol of freedom.
“History is written in bright colours to commemorate her. We Ethiopians will not bargain with anyone for the sovereignty and national interest of our country. Therefore, the principle of our country’s foreign policy is respecting Ethiopian sovereignty,” she added.
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh said Ethiopia has taken the lead role in promoting pan- African issues. Moreover, “today we hope to see an Ethiopia nation that is at peace with itself and that can forgive its sons”. The President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit also noted Ethiopians are our mother and need to resolve everything by peaceful means”. Because “we will go with Ethiopia where it goes.”
By having this kind of historical baggage, the Ethiopian diasporas need to further boost their commitment to build the image of the country. According to President Sahle-Work, the participation of Ethiopians living abroad and those of Ethiopian descent in the affairs of their country is bearing fruit with the implementation of citizen-diplomacy that Ethiopia is pursuing.
It will continue to be strong. Ethiopians around the world are building a better image of their country, by actively participating in activities such as finance and development, attracting investment and tourism, they will safeguard and protect Ethiopia’s national interest, she underlined.
As the Djiboutian president Guelleh said “With the proud history dating back to Abyssinian empire, Ethiopia has taken the lead on many Pan-African issues. As we all know, throughout this long and glories history, Ethiopia has gone through many defining moments and has always come out stronger.”
It is true that Ethiopia has passed via several ups and downs and came out victories from the problems that the country faces. Hence, it is a model and inspiring other African countries. Ethiopian diaspora needs to boost and well-articulate Ethiopian as the real mother of Africa with the concept of Pan-Africanism notion. It is important to rejuvenate the vision Pan- Africans with the concept of Ethiopian “New beginning”
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD OCTOBER 12/2021
