Before the dramatic reversal of the terrorist TPLF’s invasion of the Amhara and Afar states, foreign missions in Addis Ababa and some media outlets have been engaged in short-lived propaganda.
The so-called media outlets like CNN, BBC, and others have been disseminating disinformation with the intention of perplexing the international community with cooked-up stories. They even tried to create instability in the capital, Addis Ababa by disseminating fabricated stories quoting the ill-intent statements of foreign missions in the city.
In fact, since war broke out in the northern part of the country, the international community has been tricked into putting pressure on the government of Ethiopia by the stooges of the terrorist group, paid activists, and the now low-rated media outlets.
Under the guise of alerting the global community on Ethiopia’s situation, some international media outlets for the most part CNN and similar media have been playing a part in fueling tension and creating fear among the people of Ethiopia.
It is to be recalled that some of them were even reporting that “Addis Ababa would be under threat, and the city would fall on the hands of the terrorist TPLF and Shene groups in the shortest possible time.
These propaganda and smear campaigns were cut short after Ethiopian Defense Forces led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed defeated the terrorist TPLF group and liberated the occupied areas in Amhara and Afar states.
Though the reports have failed, the media ruined the image of Ethiopia by feeding false information about the country.
In what could be said a shameful defeat to the biased international media outlets, the African Union decided to hold its summit in Addis Ababa, a diplomatic hub. The latest decision came when Africans continue to stand by the side of Ethiopia in countering foreign pressure. Africans have been engaged in the NoMore movements fighting the modern-day imperialists’ thoughts.
The decision of the Union to hold the summit in its headquarters in Addis Ababa is a continuation of the continent’s support to Ethiopia and it implies that Ethiopia remains at the heart pan-African struggle.
Taking the significance of holding the conference in Addis Ababa into consideration and recognizing Ethiopia’s strong position on African issues, its contribution to the African Union, and its commitment to African affairs, African leaders decided the summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in a statement posted on social media accounts.
“On behalf of the Ethiopian people, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to members of the leaders of the African Union (AU) for reaching into an agreement at this crucial time to hold the AU Summit in Addis Ababa for the most part at the time when we need to strengthen our African fraternity more than ever,” said Prime Minister Abiy.
It is well known that our African brothers and sisters are the first to stand by the side of us in times of trouble and happiness.
Premier Abiy stated that Ethiopia has never taken the issue of Africanism as a second priority but as the number one priority. Its commitment to Africa’s independence has never diminished. The place Ethiopia gives to Pan-Africanism is always significant. Both in the past and in the present, Ethiopia is Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a firm stance on Africanism, Abiy added.
“The identities we share, stories that connect us, and common problems that we face are not a small number. Ethiopia is the African second home. And we must open our hands and our hearts to receive the delegates and accord them a warm welcome and stay.”
With two weeks remaining for the summit, we must make the necessary preparations to make the conference a successful one. The meaning of holding the conference in Addis Ababa means a lot, Abiy underscored.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela, the great freedom fighter and forgiving father, once said “Ethiopia has always had a special place in my imagination”, not because of any other reason, but because it welcomed him with open arms.
Ethiopia’s position in the African Union will never change. It will continue to live up to its promise. Thanks again to our fellow Africans for recognizing Ethiopia’s stance, the Premier added.
“Changes in leadership in Ethiopia have never changed Ethiopia’s commitment and loyalty to African causes,” said State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano said that Africans should celebrate their success for meeting some of the ideals of Pan-Africanism, citing resistance movements against racial discrimination, colonialism, and neo-colonialism.
Lately, speaking at an event organized with Ethiopian diaspora and African activists and diplomats who are voices in pan-African struggle, the State Minister thanked Africans and people of African descent for the solidarity that they have continued to show to Ethiopia in times of its needs, citing the 1935 mistreatment of Ethiopia by the League of Nations.
She further stressed that albeit Ethiopia was frequently dragged to the Security Council almost every month by some forces, it was the Africans and friends of Africa that rescued us from unjustified attacks.
Africans have been standing by the side of Ethiopia since the start of the law enforcement operation in the northern part of Ethiopia. They have been fighting unprecedented foreign pressure in various ways.
Dr. Samuel Tefera, from Addis Ababa University Center for African and Asian Studies tabled a paper on building Africa by reviving the ideals of Pan-Africanism and Engaging African Diaspora in Development projects.
He called on the African Diaspora to act as Ambassadors to Africa in dispelling false narratives on the continent and shaping the foreign policies of international actors toward Africa and transferring knowledge for the industrialization of the continent.
Be that as it may, recently, Uganda Pan-African Movement National Executive Chairman, Daniel Rugarama (Ph.D.) told the local media that the situation in Ethiopia is not just an Ethiopian case, and what is happening in Ethiopia is directly a matter of Africa. “We consider an attack whether it is internal or external on the Ethiopian soil, as an attack on Africa. An attack and dismantling whether ideologically or geographically on Ethiopia is indeed an attack and a very bad example to Africa. The historical importance of Ethiopia is beyond debate.”
He elucidated that Pan-Africanists are all aware that Ethiopia is not colonized and various attempts to do so did not succeed. As pan-Africanists, we are aware of the intention and we are behind the success being registered by Ethiopian forces against the group.
“Realizing that the rest of Africa must all come together and fight the common enemy because I can assure you that when critically look at the Tigray situation, it is not the people of Tigray who have been fighting. There is an invisible hand. Imperialists have already been at the helm of destabilizing Africa to make sure that Africa is kept in captive, in social, economic, political and other ways.”
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 18 JANUARY 2022
