The Ethiopian Herald had sat down with Mr Baye Moctar Diop, the Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). As an ambassador, he has been in Ethiopia for two years and a half.
What is your reflection on the bilateral ties between Ethiopia and Senegal in the spheres of trade, tourism, culture and other related aspects?
The bilateral relation between Ethiopia and Senegal is heading in the right track every so often. But we must recognize that there is a need to fortify the ties and better consult within ourselves. Furthermore, there is a need to diversify our cooperation in a wide spectrum of fields for the most part in terms of trade, investment, tourism, culture and what not.
We have some agreements that have been signed recently. The last agreement had been signed in March 2016. It was on the occasion of the official visit of the former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Tewodros Adhanom. But this agreement needs to be put into practice. We need to get the ball rolling. As a matter of fact, Ethiopia has submitted some draft agreements on trade and economic relations which are under examination.
What do the two countries have in common?
As a Senegalese school boy, I remember at the age of twelve, we studied the history of Ethiopia. I know more about the country. We know about Axum. This means that Ethiopia represents a lot to us. I was telling that to one of the Ethiopian officials. He was amazed.
More to the point, Ethiopia and Senegal have been selected by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) as two pilot countries because we are doing the same in terms of industrial park. Consequently, we have a lot to do together. We are not very far. We may be very far in terms of distance. The Ethiopian Airline flies everyday directly to Senegal.
What should be done to take the continent of Africa to a new level of success?
To the best of my knowledge, we need to work hand-in-glove with the purpose of reinforcing and taking the economic link of the continent of Africa to the pinnacle of success with no trouble. Above and beyond, we need to connect ourselves through infrastructure without a shadow of a doubt in addition to having the same political will. That is what the Ethiopian authorities are doing here in Ethiopia. Therefore, we need to have the same ambition and political will to connect ourselves.
Furthermore, the people of Senegal must know the people of Ethiopia, but not on TV or reading books. But we should foster some cultural exchanges and other related aspects linking our people. In this way, we can feel citizenships of the same region or as African citizenship.
Are Africans working in unison to get to the bottom of African problems?
Africans are making good efforts every so often. They are heading in the right direction at this moment in time. I do believe in a few weeks, we will see one of the important agreements- Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) which connects African market as a single market. As a matter of fact, Ethiopia and Senegal have already signed and rectified the CFTA. In actual fact, it will come into effect in a very few weeks’ time. I would say, this is a very important move if we succeed.
Can we conclude that Africans are harvesting the fruit of success at the present time?
Some positive changes have been coming to pass. But we must agree that we cannot achieve the desired goal in a little while. We have to check the willingness of our people seeing that states represented at African union level can agree our head of states government and sign something and agree in a very good initiative.
But is that initiative suitable for our people? This is one of the important things we need to bear in mind. We do not have to go at a snail’s pace. We have to be well aware of the fact that when we make progress that progress must be enduring. I think based on this African Union is making itself.
As a final point, is there anything you would like to convey?
I am very proud and feel very lucky to be in Ethiopia given that positive changes are taking place all over the country. Above and beyond, the country is heading in the right direction in terms of fighting against corruption, empowering women and youth, ensuring good governance all over the country. I would like to congratulate Ethiopian authority on those positive moves. I do hope, the people of Africa may be proud of this reality on the ground.
It is to be recalled that the people of Senegal has been clicking with Dr. Artist Captain Lemma Guya for over six centuries for the most part through their leaders, who appreciated his art work from time to time. The current president of Senegal his Excellency Macky Sall, who came to Addis Ababa and saw to his painting, cherished them much.
To the surprise of everyone, he sent his Minister of Culture to visit his gallery almost immediately and assured him of unstinted support. If truth be told, Senegal is one of the first African countries to support Lemma Guya’s art work.
The self-educated artist painter is ready to leave behind goat skin-mounted portraits of noted politicians and other prominent figures every so often. Lemma, who came up with his own painting style called Lemmism, had painted thirty two portraits of the founding fathers of Africa in addition to erecting the iconic African leader Mandela’s statue in his art gallery.
The Ethiopian Herald June 16/2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
