Historic relations bearing indelible fruits!

 The 4th Ethiopia-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was conducted last Monday in Addis Ababa. And the two countries held discussion on matters of common interests concluded by reaching landmark agreements to elevate the existing ties that strengthen diplomatic relations and boost in trade, investment and other areas of cooperation.

Indeed, Ethiopia and South Africa have time-honored social, historic, economic, political and military relations. Especially, during the times of the Apartheid system, Ethiopia was at the frontline in opposing the system and supporting the struggle to end it in South Africa in various forms.

Doubtless, the Apartheid which lasted in 1948 -1994 is one of the ugliest systems in history. It was the racial segregation under the all-white government of South Africa which dictated that non-white South Africans (a majority of the population) were required to live in separate areas from whites and use separate public facilities, and contact between the two groups would be limited. The different racial groups were physically separated according to their location, public facilities and social life. It was proper determination for black South Africans to struggle against this system fearlessly.

Just to mention but a few, the renowned anti-apartheid hero, the late Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, was provided with the necessary training in guerilla warfare by Ethiopian high ranking military officers in Addis Ababa, at the Kolfe Police Training Camp in Ethiopia. He was also offered an Ethiopian passport to enable him travel freely within the African region and Europe. The first historic international speech that Mandela delivered to African leaders was also made from Addis Ababa.

Nelson Mandela also clearly stated the support he received from the government of Ethiopia at the time. In his Autobiography titled ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, which was published in 1994, and narrates the accounts of his early life and years in prison, indicated Ethiopia’s role in his political life and its contribution to abolish Apartheid.

“Ethiopia always has a special place in my imagination and the prospect of visiting Ethiopia attracted me more strongly than a trip to France, England, and America combined. I felt I would be visiting my own genesis, unearthing the roots of what made me an African,” he wrote.

Not only that, the energy the two countries exerted to demolish colonialism, curb injustice and make white supremacy a thing of the past within their respective territories and beyond; also makes the two countries world iconic. The recent role that the South African Government has played in seeking a lasting solution to the conflict that took place between the federal government and TPLF is the other notable stride that deserves deepest gratitude.

The country, by accepting the inquiry to host the talks in the spirit of pan-African solidarity to find African solutions to African problems, and providing the needed assistance to the talks has made noteworthy contributions for the peace pact. And currently, the two countries are working to advance the existing relations to the highest level.

Recently, Ethiopia and South Africa have agreed to bolster ties in various areas including economic and trade relations, as well as collaboration on science and technology education and on common, continental and global issues.

Inevitably, bolstering bilateral and continental cooperation is an indispensable element to prosper, advance the continent’s development goals and realize the ambition that Africa set to achieve. In this regard, the proper implementation of agreements signed between and among countries is more important than anything else.

In sum, Ethiopia and South Africa have been enjoying growing historic bilateral relations. Commitments from both sides are the clearest indications that the bilateral ties progressively improving. Doubtless, this progress would reinforce the notion ‘African solutions to African Problems”.

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST 2023

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