ADDIS ABABA- United States remains deeply inspired by Ethiopia’s ongoing economic and political reform agendas and firmly committed to supporting the endeavors to this end, the country’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor said.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador Raynor stated that Ethiopia has been registering remarkable economic and political progress since Abiy Ahmed’s election as Prime Minister in April 2018. The ambassador noted that flow of foreign direct investment to Ethiopia jumped by over 10 percent from 2017- 2018 and the US companies have shown an increasing interest to take full advantage of the opportunities that Ethiopia has to offer, bringing the types of responsible investments that benefit both countries equally.
“The Ethiopian people enjoy greater freedoms to express their views than at any time in recent memory and for the first time in 15 years the Committee to Protect Journalism has found no journalists imprisoned in Ethiopia.” He further said: “This is a fundamentally different place than the one I found when I arrived in Fall of 2017. So, when we look at the challenges ahead, we need to remember, and respect how much has been accomplished in just one year.” Raynor indicated that the way forward will not always be easy, and the situation will take commitment not only from the government, but also from the Ethiopian people and civil society, to find the path to success.
Noting the important role the international community has to play in supporting the Ethiopian people and government at this pivotal moment, the ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue its support for Ethiopia. “But this is ultimately about the Ethiopian people making the future they want for themselves.”
According to him, for Ethiopia, a lot of the work ahead involves building institutional capacity and the United States seeks to build the institutional capacity of the Ethiopian government to serve its citizens and address their concerns.
The US also wants to improve the capacity of civil society including the media to advocate for wise policies and represent the interests of the people to the government. Also, the US is desirous of encouraging Ethiopian citizens to embrace the fact, which is true everywhere, that with democratic rights come democratic responsibilities and by embracing democracy, Ethiopians are embracing a process that benefits everyone over time.
The ambassador further pointed out that the freedom to express one’s views must be respected, but it does not give anyone moral standing to suppress the views of others, or to engage in irresponsible and inflammatory speech.
“Rule of law isn’t just something to be enforced by authorities and it derives first and foremost from the people themselves, and it needs to be respected and protected by all.” He said that the United States continues to work with stakeholders at all levels, including federal, state, and municipal government officials, youth, journalists, universities, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and teachers, to identify new opportunities where it can support Ethiopia’s progress.
The US also pursues its investment in the ability of all Ethiopians to achieve their goals for inclusive democracy, broad-based economic growth, and lasting peace and security.
“The past year is only the beginning of that exciting, limitless journey, and the United States will be with Ethiopia every step of the way,” Ambassador Raynor remarked. Commenced diplomatic ties in 1903, the political relation between Ethiopia and the US is currently expanding in the spheres of trade and investment.
The Ethiopian Herald April 9, 2019
BY BILAL DERSO
