An awe-inspiring solidarity of Ethiopians and Eritreans was once again observed as Ethiopians held rallies in a number of cities across the world. On November 20th, Eritreans in Diaspora joined Ethiopians in the No More global movement in defiance of western intervention, their support to terrorist TPLF group and the ongoing disinformation campaign by the infamous intl. Media against Ethiopia. The protesters said Africans and other developing nations are fed up with western intervention and openly opposed modern-day colonialism. They also reminded the historic blunder and failure of western interventions in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and others. Hence Ethiopians and Eritreans in the diaspora stressed they will not allow Ethiopia to be the next victim of the West.
The demonstrators called upon western countries to respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and its legitimate government and lift sanctions illogically imposed on Ethiopia and Eritrea. They also condemn one-sided reports of many international media outlets. In the latest string of misinformation campaigns, major media outlets in the west have been trying to instigate panic with false stories propagating that the capital Addis Ababa would fall on the hands of the TPLF group. Protesters also witnessed western governments’ last attempt to change the regime by creating havoc in the capital. Accordingly, the protesters demanded western countries to refrain from such acts rather respect the equality of all races and help Ethiopia’s nascent democracy.
A NoMore movement became indispensable amid undue western pressure and meddling in internal affairs escalating and tipping tendencies for invasion. This anti-war and anti-western aggression movement urged all black people and Africans to join forces in condemning and do whatever necessary to stop western countries specifically the US pursuing deceptive imperialism and neocolonialism. The movement was first inspired by Hermala Aregawi, Ethiopian-born journalist of ethnic Tigray descent, but rapidly gained momentum by Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. Eritreans were among the first to appear and organize this initiative as their own. They were active participants as #NoMore movement trending on social media platforms, primarily on Twitter. Afterwards, they are seen with Ethiopian brothers and sisters in many cities such as Ottawa, Washington, London, Tel Aviv Johannesburg, Pretoria, and other cities chanting no more colonialism, no more subjugation, no more intervention, no more TPLF, no more division, no more spreading fake news and inciting panic and other related slogans. An Eritrean on Twitter said: “Solidarity and Mutual respect between Eritreans and Ethiopians came out strong in Nashville. Our collective voices said NoMore to Western interference and TPLF terrorists. Awet n Hafash (Together We Prevail).”
Another Eritrean activist Ghidewon Abay on the other hand expressed optimism saying “Hope what is starting in the Horn of Africa will have a domino effect throughout the continent. The day Africa in unison says NoMore to neocolonialism, its youth free their minds and start to depend on their own capacity than on London, Paris or DC, will be daybreak for Africa.” A participant of the rally said “Ethiopians & Eritreans spoke boldly against US misguided policy and media disinformation on Ethiopia, Eritrea & z HoA”
Commending participation of Eritreans and Ethiopians in the rally, Eritrean information minister Yemane Gebremeskel tweeted: “The Horn has spoken! These worldwide protests are indeed a source of inspiration and pride. The consortium can no longer afford to ignore the momentum of these legitimate demands and aspirations”
Eritreans in the diaspora were active from the onset of the war in defending Ethiopia and their homeland Eritrea from undue pressure of western governments and disinformation campaign of most western media outlets. They were instrumental in exposing western hypocrisy and conspiracies against these nations in the Horn of Africa. The US and some countries in Europe have been accusing the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments of humanitarian violations and imposed sanctions while leaving TPLF’s aggression and atrocities uncondemn and unpenalized. Many media outlets in the west were trying to build a wrong narrative that Ethiopia attacked TPLF of no cause and inflicted human suffering along with Eritrea. But, evidence suggest that TPLF is the cause of the war and caused unspeakable human suffering to people in Amhara and Afar. So, the Diasporas were together in condemning TPLF and urging the west and their media to show impartiality by exposing TPLF for its heinous crimes and holding it responsible.
Concurrent with this people-to-people cooperation, governments of respective countries have also been seen supporting each other especially after their rapprochement from two decades of conflict and deadlock. Ethiopia and Eritrea declared an end to their state of war began in July 2018 and normalizing by opening embassies, developing ports, and resuming flights between the two countries after decades of hostilities. Right after their rapprochement, Ethiopia requests the United Nations to lift decade-old arms embargo sanctions and targeted sanctions on Eritrea, which subsequently lifted. Unfortunately, these countries became victims of sanctions and western media campaigns once again. Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea nevertheless chose the path of cooperation and resistance along their way. In times, Ethiopia is the victim of travel, arms embargo, and economic sanctions from the US and other western nations, Eritrea was the first to release a statement denouncing it as unlawful and unjust sanctions imposed on its neighbor. And Ethiopia just recently declared its support for Eritrea, denouncing the sanctions and urging Washington to “rescind its decision”. Ethiopia says: “The real target for sanctions and further tougher actions by the US government and the greater international community should be directed towards the TPLF,”
Their cooperation was also appreciated by the global community and attracted investment. The two countries also encouraged a new wave of cooperation in the Horn and East Africa at large. The Horn of Africa is now together for development, peace, and resistance to illogical western pressure.
Its strong conviction of cooperation and alliance for peace and development led Ethiopia to build diplomatic relations with various countries across the globe. And in effect, it has contributed to the betterment of the world by participating in the formation of the League of Nations and the United Nations.
While it is going through the hardest time in history, there are many countries that are standing by its side. To name a few, Turkey, China, and Russia may come forward but its neighboring countries always come at the very front. Ethiopia’s relation with neighboring countries especially the Horn of Africa nations is getting stronger over time. The relation between Ethiopia and Eritrea is rather different as they share history, language, geography, and many more. The two countries are showing their fraternity in many ways.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBER 25/2021
