Ethiopia’s growing role in continental, global blocs, Ambassador Feseha Shawel elaborates

Today’s guest of the Ethiopian Herald is Ambassador Feseha Shawel, Director General of the African Affairs Directorate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. During his brief stay with The Ethiopian Herald, the ambassador has raised a range of current issues that are of global, continental and national significance. Have a pleasant read!

Ethiopia’s for BRICS membership has now received acceptance. How does it help its effort to benefit the whole continent beyond its own interest?

BRICS is not about ideology. The world is in dynamic transformation at this moment. The existing internationalist system is getting paralyzed and fractured. So in this transition, with Ethiopia’s core national interests at hand, we look into any opportunity that benefits our national interests. It could be security, peace, integration, economy, trade, science, or anything. So, the BRICS is now providing an alternative to the Bretton Woods Institutions that were established at the end of the Second World War in 1945.

And the medium of exchange is the US dollar. And now the West is defining what is wrong and right in the world, and Ethiopia has passed through a very difficult moment when we had a war with the North, when we had elections during Meles Zenawi’s tenure, and when we had war with Eritrea in 1998. During the Mengistu’s era, when we choose our ideology, we had suffered a lot from pressures like sanctions. Not only in Ethiopia, but many other countries, especially those that are developing, were once facing the same problem.

Now the BRICS is providing an alternative economic development model. We can use our own currencies, or we may barter things and commodities, and we’ll have our own banking system that could be of help. Ethiopia would use the previous international financial and other systems. At the same time, we will continue to use the BRICs. So that Ethiopia has options, seeking an alternative to achieve its national interest.

So, it is not about having a problem with the West, or having a problem with the West, or running away from other institutions, whether regional, continental, or international. This is for us; an opportunity presented itself to Ethiopia, with its large economy, large population, and strategic position. So why not use this platform (BRICS) to promote trade, investment, and economic benefits? Because of that, we have made a lot of preparations. And at last, thanks to the strong diplomatic struggle of our prime minister, His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed, he really made it possible for Ethiopia to join the group.

Joining BRICS means something big, if we properly utilize it. However, the internal situation that we are witnessing these days is not good for us to exploit the benefits of the BRICS. We have to have a surplus of production, trained manpower, and the capacity to use funds. And we have to have good projects because Ethiopia is in the interest of many BRICS countries. So, we have to resolve things quickly, get on the right track, and have production. If the manpower is properly engaged in all kinds of productivity at the highest level, then we can benefit.

If not, Ethiopia will be joining the BRICS, and those countries may take us seriously. So from Africa, we have only Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa. It means, apart from using opportunities, Ethiopia is among the prominent countries according to the global community, among governments among states, with more than a 100 million people, a vibrant economy, hardworking people, and bordering all the countries in the Horn of Africa, potentially huge opportunities for everybody who want to partner with Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is just doing that. It’s not about any ideology or alliance shifting. It’s certainly promoting Ethiopia’s national interest, be it the economy, trade, or investing in peace.

Ethiopia is now an active participant in G-77 Plus China groups. How does this make the country beneficial? And what is the role of the group at the continental level?

It is not even Continental, although it has a limit. It is global. It is a forum started since World War II for the global South-South to cooperate without siding with or quarreling with anyone. This is a common political performance platform to air our views, especially at the height of East-West confrontation, including nuclear confrontation, ideological confrontation, and economic confrontation.

That time, this group of -77 plus China chose a third way immediately that was neither here nor there. This is rather our voice, and to make our voice heard, we have this platform. Some people were questioning some intellectuals and some commentators after the end of the Cold War and used to argue about politics and technical confrontation. Why do we need the G-77 Plus in China? But still, the government’s, including Ethiopia believed that it is a very relevant platform. Because this is where the global south make our voice heard and coordinate our positions on global issues.

So that when we come to Africa, we have that understanding at G-77 Plus China, and all of us will go through the General Assembly. And G-77 is taking place immediately before the General Assembly. And then, when we go there, we have issues to cooperate with one another; that is crucial to developing countries because it does not involve the northern hemisphere. China is the traditional ally, though it is the second-largest economy now. It is one of the most advanced countries in the world, but it still considers itself a developing country and an ally of the South-South countries. So, we need that cooperation. It is a platform for solidarity, making our voice known, and, as I said earlier, this global system and global order are in constant and dynamic change at this moment in history.

And they would have never seen such a change since the Second World War, or maybe the First World War. Now, this is a very critical point. So, these south-south developing countries need a forum to analyze, indicate where we are going, and determine how to react to this global change. And what is our role in the global south of G-77 in UN reform in other global institutions, security, economy, finance, environment, climate, etc.? So that is what makes the G-77 certain. And it’s been very important up to now. Ethiopia is a crucial player in this. It’s not like any other. We are traditionally and historically a great player in the global system.

And to remind you, we joined the League of Nations around 1920 , and we were not only founding members of the United Nations, but we were in the drafting committee since Philadelphia, and Ethiopian diplomats were on the table drafting the current charter.

Third, we are the political capital of Africa and the host of the OAU/AU. And then you have the UN Economic Commission for Africa here. And we’re founding members of the IGAD, and the core member of the IGAD is Ethiopia.

Even before joining the BRICS, Ethiopia has made immense contributions in the liberation movements and anti-colonial struggle, at the Battles of Gura, Gundet, ADWA, and then the Michew and many other foreign interventions. In this concept of global collective security, Ethiopia has no parallel country to bring in, like a power contribution. We are the champions of collective security. We believe that poor countries, small countries, and developing countries need to ensure their security through collective efforts without promoting any nuclear armament in any part of the world.

Ethiopia, in the G-77, is looked at as a unique contributor and a frequent contributor to the global system. There are some academic writers who strongly believe that almost all agree that the fall of the League of Nations is because Italy came to invade and the League of Nations, the developed countries in Europe, did not sanction Italy. And they have seen it, and they gave it a blind eye when Italy attacked Ethiopia.

At that time, Emperor Haileselasse told them that today Ethiopia is attacked by the Italians, a member of the League of Nations; you will see tomorrow; it will be on you. And once Germany, Japan, and Italy did, they invaded the whole of Europe, but the prelude at the beginning of 1969 was Ethiopia and this incident, World War II, so the beginning or failure of the League of Nations is Ethiopia. Since then, we’ve been very strong on the concept of collective security. So our contribution to the United Nations on collective security is also second to none. It’s wonderful. And up until now, we have been promoting the same concept as at the time of Dr. Abiy. So, our role in G-77 is very important.

How do you think would this help to accelerate the rapid realization of the integration of Africa through trade as in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)?

The AfCFTA includes about 55 countries on the continent, including the Sahara network. And it is the result of long negotiations between member states. Ethiopia has put its effort into African countries; it is difficult to claim that it is only Ethiopia doing everything. But we have contributed to the realization of the AfCFTA. And this benefits Ethiopia a lot. Africa is trading between itself; for African countries, only 15 to 20% of the trade is between themselves; the rest, at 75%, is with Europe, America, Asia, China, Japan, or India.

But Asia is doing 65% of the trade and investment between itself. And Europe is trading with in its boundary up to 80%. And Africa is 15 to 20%. So, AfCFTA will promote trade between ourselves and benefit from this access to foreign currency. And when we want to trade among ourselves, we must have infrastructure. So Ethiopia has to build railway, highway, and air connections. And Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and South Africa will do the same. So that the continent will be connected in infrastructure, and that infrastructure in trade will bring the necessary currencies, job opportunities, and business between the communities and nations, and this will become a good job opportunity.

What is Africa suffering from? Why is Ethiopia suffering? Now, the youth cannot get a job. And then any crazy person can collect them, give them a weapon, and fight each other. So, this African Free Trade Area is an opportunity for all the African countries and Ethiopia to open their borders to allow capital movement and for human resources to move around. And with this, there must be some major reforms like a common passport, a common currency, a common policy of trade, an economy, and investment. So, the multiplier effects are great. So, Ethiopia firmly believes in this. And we are hardworking people with a large population and a dynamic economy, which allows us to do business and benefit others. So that there will be mutual, common development and growth through the Africa free trade area.

And this is partly related to the global south-south relationship. Others say: What is the benefit of G77? Or is it that the idea we exchange is to look into the changes in the global world? And then we have extended ideas that the global south must do together.

And when we come to Africa, where is the global south cooperation we talked about in Havana? And what do we do here in Africa, which is an extension of it, that we have to promote trade between ourselves? That is how one platform is feeding the other platform, so that we continue not only in the continent but also in other parts of the global south, such as Latin America and Asia, to cooperate and expand opportunities.

Concerning peace and security, especially observed in East Africa, what has IGAD been doing for the last few years?

IGAD is trying. And it is successful. It has a long history in terms of peace and security. The Sudan peace process is because of IGAD; and the Somalia peace process, which brought government, federal government, and regional states together, is because of IGAD. In Sudan, we are engaged in the peace process, and we’re also trying to do something on the issue of Sudan. IGAD has done its best during the Ethiopia-Eritrea War of 1998–2000. They tried their best, but it did not succeed. So IGAD is a platform for cooperation on peace and security, for infrastructure, for regional integration, and for the movement of people and capital in the region.

But because, as you said, Sudan is burning now and almost destroying itself, the capital city is being destroyed. Khartoum is the eldest sister of Addis Ababa. And as for South Sudan, they have not moved much. And despite a lot of delays and transitions to implement the peace agreement of Addis Ababa, led by our prime minister in 2018 that agreement was still extended.

And now we’re also pushing on how to implement and conduct elections and bring in a government that is elected by its people. But we haven’t reached it yet. Somalia, the issue of Al-Shabab, and then the relationship between the center and territory—we need to move fast. We have to cover a lot of ground. And there are issues between the North Somalis, who want independence, and the Mogadishu federal government, which is not agreeing to the independence of Somaliland. There are also operations in Somalia. In Ethiopia, we had a terrible and devastating war in the northern part of the country, and it has left lots of people and property killed and destroyed. And now in the Amhara region, the same is happening. So, the peace and security of Ethiopia shouldn’t be like this. So most parts of the IGAD region are in the crisis.

Then, with this, IGAD cannot be effective. People tend to criticize IGAD, and I disagree. IGAD is a mirror of its members; when Ethiopia is healthy, Sudan is okay, South Sudan is advanced, and Somalia has defeated al-Shabaab, we will have a vibrant guide. Otherwise, we are focused on our internal situations. And we are trying to bring peace, security, law, and order. And because of that, our regional organization cannot be effective. The contribution of member states makes IGAD strong. Unless the members are healthy, strong, and peacefully developing, you cannot have a vibrant IGAD. The same is true with the African Union. The same is true with the United Nations.

So we have to work more through IGAD collectively and bilaterally to bring peace and stability to Sudan, which we are trying to do. We have to have dialogue; we have to bring peace to our country. And then we have to help also Somalia to protect ourselves from attack as Shabaab and ISIS are in front of us.

And also in South Sudan, they complete the process and do reactions, making it a very resourceful country. So Ethiopia is beneficiary of peace and stability in this region. And the peace and stability of Ethiopia are very beneficial to them. So we’ll fly together and stand up together. At the end, the objective of international relations is to maximize opportunities for the people.

So this needs sustainability, strong peace, and stability. And when we do that in the region, our continental organization and regional organization, IGAD, will be strong. A strong IGAD will give Ethiopia the opportunity to play its role in the continent and international community.

Thank you very much, Ambassador.

It’s my pleasure.

BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW

 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023

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