Of late, Tibor Nagy, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs arrived in Addis Ababa for a three-day visit that will include the engagements focused on the United States’ relationship with Ethiopia and the sixth annual U.S.-African Union High Level Dialogue.
Nagy who previously served as U.S.
Ambassador to Ethiopia from 1999 to 2002, remarked that the United States remains a committed partner to Ethiopia as it embarks on significant democratic and economic reforms. Nagy also said the United States looks forward to discussing ways to advance the African Union’s vision as articulated by Agenda 2063: An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
Nagy says: “Ask not, what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country, applies to the current situation in Ethiopia.”
As Ethiopia had faced social, economic and political tranquilities over the last years, this national chaos has been solved after the appointment of Prime Minister of Dr. Abiy Ahmed as a new president of the country. Dr. Abiy with his cabinet has been working strategically to restore peace and order as well as re-establish the political and economic stability internally and externally.
In fact, since he held office in April, internal peace has been restored. Almost all Ethiopian citizens living inside and outside of the country started to dream a better country.
The incumbent was successful in silencing the turmoil in the country, and bringing peace and unity in the country.
Externally, the premier and his cabinet are able to reconnect the lost link between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The two countries are now having economic and political reunion. Following the reunion of the countries by the initiation of Ethiopian prime-minister, Somalia’s president Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed has joined the deal. The deal aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation to build close political, economic, social, cultural, and security ties among them. Eritrea was unsanctioned due to the strong call to the United Nations after the peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
In this regard, Tibor Nagy says the U.S appreciates the role of Ethiopia in solving internal and external problems. Thus, the U.S wants to cooperate with PM of Ethiopia in ending the instability prevailing in the eastern Africa. The U.S also wants to strengthen trade relationship with Ethiopia.
In addition, the policy towards the opposition parties especially Abiy’s strong wish to inaugurate a democratic election in the country is appreciable, Tibor says. His keenness to establish an inclusive political system is admirable. Thus, the U.S supports the premier’s start to widen the political space. However, in any election, America supports not the political party including the ruling party, but the process of the election, Tibor stressed.
Indeed, the United Nations lifted the sanction on Eritrea following the peace deal signed among the three countries. Besides, Eritrea is ready to establish a favorable relationship with the neighboring countries especially Ethiopia, Tibor expressed.
On the other hand, the U.S Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michael Raynor, added that America wants to invest in Africa. The U.S invests about billion dollars every year in human infrastructure for the people of Ethiopia.
In fact, the U.S invests in the health, education, food and security, and HIV. Investing in the human infrastructure is important since it yields a healthy and well-educated human power. Furthermore; while the U.S knocks, African countries must open their door. They must have a clear and transparent contract together with how to win a dispute in case it arises.
Most investors questioned that Ethiopia has a fair and clear cut investment policy to deal with foreign investors. Despite there were some challenging investment environment due to the unrest that prevailed in the country for over three years, the country is now in a better stability except some ethnic conflicts have been currently seen in some parts of the country.
The government must also focus on improving the investment policy with regard to tax treatment, issuing licenses, balanced import or export regulations, and removing tariff and non-tariff barriers.
By doing so, the country would attract foreign investors from around the world with a win-win, not win-lose approach. Thus, the government needs to adopt a better policy that can help the country get many investors from different parts of the world.
In sum, Ethiopia has shown a dramatic change from stabilizing nationwide unrest to justifiable stability observed in most parts of the country. The result could be attained via the cooperation between the people and the government with the vision to meeting the country’s societal and economic needs.
Herald December 15/2018
BY GETAHUN LEGESSE
