Ethiopia’s official entry into the BRICS economic bloc has ignited optimism among civil society organizations (CSOs) and think tanks, heralding a potentially transformative phase for the country’s global engagement.
As the BRICS Experts and Civil forum is scheduled for May 2024 in Moscow-Russia, Ethiopia is now preparing itself to participate and discuss major issues that it would raise as an agenda on last week’s Russian BRICS Experts Council Forum.
According to international relations experts and CSO representatives, this move signifies a strategic shift toward deeper integration within the BRICS framework.
Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council President Nigusu Legese (PhD) said Ethiopia’s accession into the BRICS opens up new opportunities for the country to cooperate with the bloc’s members not only on economic affairs but also in humanitarian and democracy building.
Nigusu (PhD) further highlighted that relations with key global players of BRICS members such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are a crucial juncture for Ethiopia to diversify its humanitarian and development partners. He; however, cautioned the Ethiopian government should not be inclined to undermine its partnership with the Western world.
“BRICS is not something that stands against others. In fact, it supports institutional integrity among countries having South- South cooperation policies. On the other hand, Ethiopia is receiving a higher amount of humanitarian aid from Western agencies and countries. Therefore, joining the BRICS does not mean rejecting the West. I hope the government has the same stance on this.”
Institute of Foreign Affairs Europe and American Affairs General Director Dareskedar Taye (PhD) also said that the formal accession to BRICS is instrumental in building institutional integration. “Ethiopia is now in its first year in BRICS, so more opportunities are expected to come.”
The strategic engagement roadmap, which is under preparation, will define what things should come first and second, he added.
According to the expert, the major task that Ethiopia should engage in at this time is researching major BRICS agendas that could benefit its national interest.
The overall development, particularly with the BRICS Experts group, presents opportunities for policy discussions on a global stage and collaboration with the bloc counterparts. By engaging in the experts’ forum of the BRICS, Ethiopians could build collective expertise to address common
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 2 MAY 2024
