BY FITSUM GETACHEW
The recent statements made by the Ethiopian government concerning the threats of Al-shabaab and the drastic measures taken to foil its attacks on Ethiopian territory must tell us something very serious about how our country needs to always be vigilant and prepared to counter and neutralize every assault on its national sovereignty. Ethiopia realizes that whenever enemies believe there are controversies inside Ethiopia, they try to fish in troubled waters. Their aim is to destabilize the country and watch it break up. This is not a surprise for Ethiopia. Cognizant of this fact, the Ethiopian security forces are always ready to battle every form of assault.
The government has repeatedly conveyed this message to all those who are looking for the opportune moment to attack Ethiopia. This includes forces that are on the payroll of foreign forces to embark on terrorist missions. In this regard the TPLF forces, Shene and other collaborators are under strict supervision of Ethiopian security forces. Lately we have come to observe Al-shabaab infiltrators in the Somali region trying to advance into Ethiopian territory. But they suffered a devastating blow from the Ethiopian security forces.
If the recent exchanges of visits by Egyptian leaders to countries that surround Ethiopia have any meaning, it is difficult not to associate them with this latest incursion of certain forces in our territory. Ethiopia continues to monitor developments vigilantly because the stakes are very high. Any potential threats must be nipped in the bud.
Ethiopia realizes its geopolitical position has always constituted a point of major interest to many outside forces. Egypt’s interest on Ethiopian affairs has a long history. Ethiopia’s decision to build the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), on the Nile seems to have awakened new anti-Ethiopian feelings. Egyptian politicians have never made it a mystery of their opposition to the project while Ethiopia has tried to explain its stance in unequivocal terms. For Ethiopia, the Nile is a resource that must be shared reasonably among riparian, whereas the Egyptian stance has always been one of hegemony and control.
The only claim that can be accommodated by Ethiopia is the fair share of the water to downstream countries based on international practice and custom.
Egypt’s claim that Ethiopia should consult it for any activity on the Nile is of course unacceptable and that is what it has been stating clearly to all stakeholders including international bodies that seem to side with Egypt.
The alleged remarks reportedly made by the newly elected Somalia’s president and widely propagated by Egyptian media is another attempt by Egypt to rally support from African countries. Ethiopia must be vigilant on what next moves may follow in the relations between Somalia and Egypt. We know that Egypt’s attempts to have a military base in countries that are neighbors to Ethiopia have failed. But apparently such attempts seem to continue. The exchange of visits Egypt has made with neighbors of Ethiopia must tell us something. Ethiopia is always in the watch list of Egypt. There are forces in Egypt who even push for a military solution when it comes to problems regarding the Nile water. Experts say Egypt’s policies towards Ethiopia have always been motivated by the desire to control the sources of the Nile. Egypt would do whatever it takes to stop the GERD project and one of the moves is to destabilize the country with its agents. This tendency has not been a secret. It was manifested in many of the statements that the Egyptian government releases from time to time.
If we want to see the recent Al-shabaab forces attack in Ethiopian territory in this context then it becomes clear that there are several forces trying to destabilize the country and Ethiopians must keep up their guard relentlessly. As there are repeated reports of negotiations in the making with the TPLF forces and Ethiopia is trying to hold a national dialogue with every force operating in the country to hammer out longstanding controversies and move on with its economic trajectory, there are outside forces to whom these developments are not palatable. Creating some sort of negative headlines by provoking havoc somewhere in the country is part of this mission of destabilizing the country.
The terrorist attacks Shene has been perpetrating recently is a part of this scheme. We have seen that in the wake of the TPLF attacks against the federal forces in November 2020 there were reports of Sudanese forces encroaching on Ethiopian territory. Ethiopia did not respond to such provocation repeatedly calling for a negotiated settlement of any outstanding issue. In fact in a recent IGAD meeting between the leaders of Ethiopia and Sudan pledges were made to embark on peaceful negotiations rather than engage in destructive hostilities.
The recent failed attack of Shene and so called Gambella Liberation Forces in Gambella city tells us something about the motives of these terrorist groups. Experts have been arguing that whenever the Ethiopian people or government seem divided or engaged in some internal controversies, alien forces try to take advantage. But the response of the Ethiopian security forces has always been vehement and immediate.
The same can be said of the recent Al-shabaab attacks in the Somali region. The combined forces of the Special Forces of the Somali Regional State and the Federal forces have inflicted a crushing blow on these forces. Hundreds were killed, many more were captured along with their ammunitions. This is the first time that such an operation has taken place in the eastern part of Ethiopia if we exclude the various skirmishes we experienced lots of years ago.
The Ethiopian government has given a detailed statement on the vehement counteroffensive it conducted against the terrorists reiterating that any similar attempts will be dealt with ruthlessly. It said the security forces’ capacity to defend the territorial integrity of the nation must not be underrated even at a time of multiple military engagements in various parts of the country. The Ministry of Defense has given a statement that it is always fully ready to defend the country’s integrity and sovereignty against any kind of internal and external enemy.
However, many experts say that Ethiopia must show its force by uniting in the internal front in the political and economic sphere and this by itself is a deterrent against any interference. History tells us that internal divisions and disputes have always stimulated Ethiopia’s enemies to try their luck with military engagement. But Ethiopians have always united in the wake of foreign attacks dismissing their disputes. Foreign forces know that they can have their way only if they manage to disseminate divisions in the country particularly along ethnic and religious lines. But Ethiopians have come to realize that their force lies in unity even in the midst of diversity and that being a mosaic of peoples and cultures is a source of beauty and strength rather than one of division and weakness.
Ethiopia’s current position may seem to be at cross roads. As much as there are several activities underway to tackle economic problems, the conflict in the north of the country continues to be a challenge despite hopes of negotiations. The recently launched national dialogue is also another important development that could help the country acquire more stability and look on to the future with optimism. Internal political differences need to be addressed in a civilized and reasonable manner without appealing to emotions. Ethiopians need to come to terms with so many outstanding issues that have been rolling down the years and creating unnecessary tension among communities and political forces.
Repeated terrorist attacks have been trying to attract the attention of international audience but Ethiopian security forces have been countering these terrorist forces with vehement measures even if the lives of innocent civilians have been a source of deep sorrow to citizens. The need for more concerted and protracted action against these forces is evident. The cooperation of the population in this regard is priceless. Terrorists must not be allowed to hide among the people. Efforts must continue to isolate the terrorists from the rest of the peaceful population and this takes thorough vigilance.
Ethiopia may be confronted with multiple challenges on multiple fronts but it is the unity of the citizens and its law enforcement forces that determine the stability and growth of the country. As we head for a new Ethiopian year, we must envisage better days with better results in the economy and better completion of projects including the GERD. The recent third filling of the dam has been successful and it has conveyed clearly the message to outside forces. Ethiopia’s economic trajectory cannot be aborted by any force as long as its citizens are united in one front and keep up with the momentum.
Ethiopia is open for all kinds of peaceful negotiations with any force that is in contention with its policies. Already it has accepted to discuss the GERD with downstream countries under the auspices of the AU. Similarly, it has shown full cooperation with a special AU sponsored negotiating team in its relations with the TPLF leaders. Ethiopia knows that peace is the only option it has in order to advance the aspirations of its people and for that end it strives continuously and relentlessly. But at the same time it cannot accept any moves that are a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity and this must be clear to all forces both near and far.
Undue influence to twist the arms of the Ethiopian government cannot be accepted because Ethiopia is a sovereign country that has conserved its integrity with immense sacrifices of its patriots along the centuries.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 11 AUGUST 2022
