Indian ambassador criticizes some powers meddling in Ethiopia’s internal affairs
Addis Ababa, June 5, 2021 (FBC) – Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia Robert Shetkintong said that what happened in Tigray is an intermal matter and it is up to Ethiopia to decide what steps to take.
Since Ethiopia is an independent and sovereign county it can manage all its internal affairs, he stressed.
In an interview with the EPA, Ambassador Robert Shetkintong said his country is also against the use of loan and aid as a means of coercion.
Ambassador Shetkintong further recalled that in 1936 during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, Indians had staged demonstration in opposition. Concerning the unjustified U.S. sanctions on Ethiopia , he said his country also provides loan and grants but genuinely out of friendship without putting preconditions.
“We have given concessional loan to Ethiopia. We have built three sugar factories. What we tell Ethiopia, or what we tell our friends in Africa is that we are always clear in this, you decide what you want, it is for Ethiopia, or it is for countries in Africa to decide what you want to do, only then can India comes and provides you the concessional loan, we never dictate or we never put preconditions.”
He mentioned that India has so far provided grants, medical equipment to Blakc Lion Hospital, donated rice all out of genuine friendship. Concerning the upcoming 6th general elections, Ethiopia has conducted series of election in the past and would continue to do in the future. It has also the capacity to do the election successfully.