Ethiopia continues to withstand foreign pressures, enhance diplomatic relations with courtiers
Addis Ababa, May 17, 2022 (FBC) – While, delivering the nine months report to the parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen Ethiopia is experiencing multifaceted pressures from internal and outside elements.
Some western countries and international organizations who are working in favor of TPLF have pressured Ethiopia in many aspects although the nation has copied with such adversaries with unity and resilience.
However, Ethiopia has been able to defend the pressures with the help of the endurance of its people and participation of the Diaspora, friends of Ethiopia and partners, he stated.
The diplomatic endeavors will continue to face various challenges due to different factors, among others, the unpredictable nature of the global system and the dynamism and varied interests in the region.
Regarding the current border issue with a neighboring country, Demeke said Sudan has encroached territory of Ethiopia exploiting the situation in the northern part of the country following the attack carried out by the terrorist TPLF on the Northern Command of the National Army.
Sudan is serving as a springboard for the terrorist Group currently tarnishing its relationship with Ethiopia. He said Ethiopia is still committed to solve the situation with peaceful dialogue.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has carried out several capacity building activities to enhance competence of diplomats in the light of efforts to ensure diplomatic gains at international level.
Demeke appreciated the contribution of African brothers and sisters and partner countries for standing by the side of Ethiopia in fending off pressures targeting the nation.
Ethiopia is committed to address the GERD issues with peaceful negotiation with riparian countries under the umbrella of the African Union based on Declaration of Principles signed in 2015.
Although Ethiopia was in a good partnership with the western world in crucial engagements such as peace and security and development areas, some countries and international organizations were in propaganda and media war with Ethiopia and pressuring the nations with several orchestrated manners in the pretext of the conflict in the northern part of the country.
He recalled that some western media were engaged in media and propaganda war on Ethiopia, he said, citing the report by CNN as Addis Ababa was under siege.
Senators and congressional bodies of the U.S. have continued to pressures Ethiopia through undue draft bills and other documents that will sever relations between Ethiopia and the U.S. and tarnish the longstanding ties between the two nations. To reverse the pressures, Ethiopians and People of Ethiopian origin in the Diaspora have intensified public-diplomacy efforts through continued demonstrations they are staging in several cities of the world, he said.
Besides face to face consultations Ethiopians held with members of the senate and congress and other officials, the letter signed by House Speaker Agese Chafo has been sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United Nations House of Representatives calling for cancelation of the draft bills, Demeke underscored.
Besides defending national interests of the nation, the Diaspora have continued to contribute their support to rehabilitation and rebuilding activities in affected areas, construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and other national development endeavors, he said.
There are some results gained from diplomatic efforts to restore and maintain relations with some countries following the concerted activities carried out to mend relations with some partner countries.
Ethiopia is committed to continue its big role in supporting peacekeeping efforts in the regional as well as international levels. Saying that some countries and various international organizations continue to tarnish image of Ethiopia with orchestrated ways, Demeke noted that various think tank and advocacy groups are put in place to reverse the situation.
Regarding activities being carried out to safeguard rights of Ethiopians in the Middle East, Demeke said that Ethiopia has so far repatriated thousands of undocumented citizens from Saudi Arabia. A lot of activities have been carried out to promote tourism and investment potentials of the country.
Demeke further called on the international community to enhance support to Ethiopia in response to growing humanitarian needs inflicted by the conflict and natural disasters including the drought situation.