Ethiopia is commemorating centuries old diplomatic history out of which 116 years are carried out after the formal establishment of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Throughout the years Ethiopia used the skills of her diplomats and the commitment of her leaders to build strong diplomatic relations with various countries of the world regardless of religious, political ideology.
It has contributed its share in ensuring the rights of black people, Africans and the developing in different times. One of the roles it contributed is to help found the League on Nation and the UN and played an extraordinary role in the founding of the former OAU and later on the AU.
Ethiopia’s diplomatic relations and related efforts do not emanate from isolated quest for national interest. In fact, the principles of fulfilling the national interest of the country is closely linked with ascertaining mutual benefit with countries near and afar and promoting global issues like climate change, regional economic integration and the quest for global peace.
As a result, Ethiopia has gained due influence and significance to among various countries of the world. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister asserts this as follows: “ In various forums we have participated in history I have realized that many African countries have a great respect and regard for Ethiopia. Sometimes, when issues that test the world come up, positions are taken elsewhere in the United Nations, despite being busy in its own domestic agenda Ethiopia’s stance and influence are multiplicative.
They give us tip of ideas that they want us to resound like what position we have to take, or what action we have to take. By the way, in such cases many want to know “What is Ethiopia’s stance?” Africans, Latin American countries and many countries of the world have a very high view of Ethiopia. This happens because they know Ethiopia’s place through history and various experiences.”
He further says cooperation frameworks that used to be known as frameworks are changing their appearance and are perceived differently. And in order to map the diplomacy of the future era, it is necessary to start from the current dynamic situation. When we say diplomacy, we need to face the changing situation in the future and stand competitively. With the advent of new technology, diplomacy has ended, replaced by another and many literatures show that. It means that as long as there are different fields of communication, world competition and countries, diplomacy will continue to change and prepare accordingly.
Even now, when we see it, it is not only the conventional diplomacy that we used to have, but now the struggle, digital diplomacy has been added to it. The landscape of social media has also changed. Simply scheduling long appointments and face-to-face engagements are not enough right now. It’s an age where all information is delivered simultaneously with the fast, mobile technology we hold in our hands, where every leader, ambassador of foreign affairs all tweets and communicates through different devices. If we do not manage this, the diplomatic work would slip out of our hands and others will continue to define it in the way they want. Therefore, it is necessary to build the capacity of a suitable digital diplomacy system and be competitive.
Ethiopia is conducting institutional foreign relations and diplomacy which is carefully planned and implemented. Career diplomats are being produced through intensive trainings which are tailored in the context of domestic and foreign policy objectives of the country. Ethiopia’s ever growing diplomatic activities are closely connected with global values and interests in the conduct of foreign policy and diplomacy
The foreign policy objectives of the Ethiopian Government rests on four main pillars including ascertaining sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, promoting national interest, economic diplomacy and citizen centered diplomacy. The socio-political and economic reforms underway in the country for the last four years had added impetus to the effective implementation of the above mentioned diplomatic objectives.
It stands to reason therefore that Prime Minister Abiy has conducted shuttle diplomatic maneuvers starting with ascertaining stable diplomatic relations with the neighboring countries based on the four objectives mentioned above. The Premier effectively combined his efforts in diplomacy with institutional approach through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the implementation of the foreign policy and diplomacy of the country.
Ethiopian ambassadors and senior diplomats across the world exposed the unverified news and reports on the situation in Ethiopia and exposed the truth to African leaders and countries which recognized the concerns of his government, creating awareness on the importance of promoting economic integration among African countries to ease the pressure of foreign debt on the continent, promoting economic diplomacy to reduce the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic Ethiopian and continental economy.
The Ethiopian Permanent Mission at the UN was able to withstand UNSC hosted 12 rounds of sessions in violation of the Charter discussing on issues that are legally under the competence of the Ethiopian Government. Today, with the support of the entire population in the country, the nation has managed to complete the 4th and final round of filling GERD and expects to generate hydropower from five more turbines this year.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald January 14/2024
