Over the years, diplomacy has gone beyond the traditional scope in terms of its means and content. Party diplomacy has become an important part of modern diplomacy and international relations. Different political parties have been designing strategies to foster diplomatic relations with their counterparts. The party-to-party relationship is also becoming an integral parts of country-to-country relations. Sometimes parties’ relation mirrors the strategic relations of countries.
Political parties, as a dominant political force in modern politics, have been able to exert influence beyond domestic political life. They may impact the external relations of their own countries, through direct involvement in both the formulation of the foreign strategy and policy and in diplomatic practices, according to World Scientific website.
Parties have steadily and increasingly enhanced their influence and role not only in their domestic politics but also in international politics. This is what Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party has been doing since its formation.
The party has concluded its first congress on Sunday passing different resolutions. The congress elected Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as its president while picking Demeke Mekonnen and Adem Farah as its vice-presidents.
PP won the historic 6th general poll in a landslide has a five-year mandate to rule the country.
The three-day congress that was held under the theme “From Ordeal to Ascension” was attended by representatives of foreign political parties in addition to party leaders and other members. Uganda’s National Resistance Movement and South Africa’s ANC, Turkish Justice, and Development Party (AKP), People’s Rally for Progress (RPP) of Djibouti, Sudan People’s Liberation Front, and other representatives also took part in the congress.
Speaking at the congress, African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee and Sub-Committee of Internal Relations Member, Professor Iqbal Jhazbhay said ANC is looking forward to the results and outcomes of this first Prosperity Party Congress with immense interests at this juncture and many global geopolitical shifts.
As to him, Ethiopia’s progresses and achievements under the leadership of PP are placing enormous historic responsibility on the congress. “Its policy positions and deliberations, subsequently a direction not only of Ethiopian society, the region of Horn of Africa but also continent development is very far-reaching.”
“ANC enjoys international solidarity and friendship with the Prosperity Party and stands ready to deepen the warm good relationship and consolidate further the bonds of political, diplomatic, academic, culture and diaspora relations.
“The delight of the growth of the largest dam in Africa GERD who made this project of self-determination a genuine reality, no human power shall stand in the way of the Ethiopians and sister and brother Africans to determine their futures,” he added.
For his part, Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Department, Fevzi Sanverdi said on his part the two countries’ bond, friendship, and brotherhood go back centuries 126 years ago in 1896 during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan.
The two countries are related in economic and commercial fields in which Ethiopia hosts the highest volume of Turkish FDI in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Likewise, our cooperation in culture, education, and many other fields is enhancing. Ethiopia’s peace, stability, tranquility, and territorial integrity are important for Turkey and we believe that Ethiopia is capable of solving its challenges through peace and reconciliation. Turkey will continue to stand by the side of Ethiopia,” he said.
Secretary-General of the People’s Rally for Progress (RPP) of Djibouti, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh on his part appreciated the vision of the Prosperity Party to build strong inclusive economic and social development in Ethiopia.
He also appreciated the effort committed by the ruling party to ensure peace. For the past four years, the ruling party has been working hard to bring regional integration and cooperation with neighboring countries.
Both parties are working for the betterment of the people of the country and the region as a whole. Djibouti and Ethiopia are integrating their economies and working hard to further strengthen their collaboration with a view of building a better future for the people. Our relationship is broader, deeper, and wider than just an economic relationship.
It is characterized by strong people-to-people relations that have existed for centuries, our relationship, and our nature. Our link is emotional and our future is a common destiny. The people of both sides of the borders are linked by blood; they are the same people whose feet are intertwined by blood.
Vice President and Deputy Chairman of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Professor James Wani Igga expressed his solidarity and congratulated the Prosperity Party on its first historic congress. The two countries are enjoying old-aged bilateral ties and our relationship will remain solid.
Unlike many political parties that relied on borrowed ideologies, Prosperity Party (PP) relies on homegrown ideas and grass-root voices and it takes synergy as a route to reach its destination of bringing prosperity, the ruling Prosperity Party President Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D.) said.
Abiy stressed in his speech that Prosperity is unique from preceding Ethiopian political parties including EPRDF, WPE, and others in terms of a number of members, organizational quality, and unique ideology. The PP has more than 11 million members, making it the largest political party in Ethiopia’s history.
The Party’s President further highlighted Prosperity keeping the past values while building a bright future for the people of Ethiopia. “Our party has all the caliber including viable ideology, large and vibrant members and meticulous organization that enable us to ensure Ethiopia’s prosperity.”
As to him, PP has been exercising true federalism for the first in the country’s modern history which has been demonstrated by the formation of Sidama and South- West Ethiopia states and by its adherence to the will of the people.
The First Congress is of paramount importance to address pressing challenges including combating maladministration, corruption, anti-peace, and anti-prosperity moves thereby creating a peaceful and prosperous nation that all citizens harmoniously.
“When we say the Prosperity Party is participatory, inclusive and democratic one, we are saying that all ideologies can be well entertained and translated into practical actions and a governing idea can be taken for growth and prosperity.”
“All contending political parties can work in collaboration with PP so long as we are working for the same cause-making a new and prosperous Ethiopia for the generations to come.” Contending parties have also to move legitimately keeping the interest of the Ethiopian people and shun destructive activities that disrupt the peace of the country, Abiy remarked.
Speaking to local media, PP Executive Committee member Binalf Andualem stated some shortcomings including malpractices, infidelity, and other irregular moves have been challenging Prosperity’s known commitment to multinational unity. As malpractices trespass party discipline, all the negative aspects have been addressed and those who are found guilty should receive appropriate corrective measures to help others.
Clarifying why some members still employ the party framework as an ethnic shield, he stressed that those who need to benefit out of their ethnic mask won’t have a place in the PP. A range of actions have been taken to bring about a workable system, too.
About the national dialogue, Binalf emphasized the platform incorporates all concerned bodies and political parties that have been legally operating in the country, but it will not incorporate TPLF or Shene, both designated terrorists by the law.
“The nomination of terrorist groups is going to be held in a distinctive fashion and indifferently. If difference resolved peacefully, it is okay; otherwise, the government forced to take legal measures to ensure law and order in the country.” “If there is a loophole to conclude the conflict peacefully, that is better as no one can benefit out of turmoil, chaos, and unrest.”
“As Ethiopians do have several strong treads that have bonded them than the appalling trend on which the previous EPRDF regime rooted via propagating distorted narratives for widening differences, we all are expected to consolidate the positive sides and narrow differences in all aspects. The chapter of hostility, resentment, and lack of coexistence has to be firmly closed forever.”
Also, Prosperity has been hugely engaged to the continuance of cardinal glues that attach the people of Ethiopia and nurturing and promoting the spirit of fraternity and a culture of living harmoniously.
As to Binalf, the conference fundamentally aims to promote civilized conflict resolution mechanisms and encourage the long-cherished culture of peaceful co-existence. The party, therefore, is working to hit such a determining target. Forums for dialogue and consultation have to be well organized and the new generation has to inherit a country of peace, coexistence, and prosperity.
“The conference is expected to devise all possible solutions to the heaped problems in the country singling out the past avenge, irrelevant narratives, and actions that hinder development and change,” he remarked.
The Council Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the all-Russian political party “United Russia’’ extended their warm congratulatory messages to Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party (PP) President Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D.) and PP’s central committee for its first national congress.
In a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, CPC has attached great importance to its friendly relations with the PP of Ethiopia. “ CPC stands ready to work with PP to give broad meaning to the exchanges between our two parties and support each other in the following the development path compatible with our respective national conditions and also contributing to the deepening of China-Ethiopia comprehensive and strategic cooperation as well as to the well-being of our two peoples.”
Accordingly, CPC has wished congress a complete success. “May the friendship between our two parties, two countries, and the two peoples last forever.”
The all-Russian political party “United Russia” Chairperson D. Medvedev for his part said that the forum/congress will become a landmark event in the domestic life of the state. Important decisions will be made that are necessary for effective work for the benefit of the people of Ethiopia.
According to Russian Embassy in Ethiopia’s official Twitter page post, “UNITED RUSSIA” and the Prosperity Party have friendly relations, backed up by the Agreement on Interaction and Cooperation the press statement said adding that “Our inter-party dialogue will continue to develop progressively, making a significant contribution to building bilateral ties and strengthening stability and security in the region.”
“Russia considers Ethiopia as one of its reliable partners on the African continent. It is gratifying that the position of the two countries on most pressing issues on international agenda is in many respects close or identical.”
Calling congress to take part in the second International cross-party Forum of Africa’s leading political forces under the theme: “Security as a foundation for sustainable development”, which is scheduled for May 2022.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2022
