News in Brief
Let’s Break the Cycle of Unilateral Actions to Settle Ethiopia-Sudan Border Dispute
Drawing lessons from the victory of the Adwa battle
Ethiopia’s Upcoming Election: Prospects and Challenges
Africa and the African Union
The 6th African Day of School Feeding (ADSF), was celebrated on Monday (March 01) under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Traditional Knowledge and Food to Support Home-Grown School Feeding Programmes and Systems During COVID-19 Response and Beyond”. The date marked the commitment of African countries to strengthen and consolidate political will for school feeding on the continent.
African Union Ministers in charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs on the 26th of February 2021, adopted the Common African Position (CAP) that seeks to advance women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life as well as the elimination of violence for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in Africa. The consensus is part of the strategy to ensure the continent and aspirations of African women and girls are well articulated at the global discourse at the United Nations 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) to be held from 15 to 26 March 2021.
Ethiopia
The Executive Director for the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, said his organization is rapidly increasing its humanitarian assistance in the Tigray regional state. Beasley’s remark came following a discussion he had with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday (March 03). “We are rapidly scaling up our support in Tigray to make sure every woman, man, girl and boy have the food they need,” the WFP Chief tweeted. “But, but we need $107M to do it. Now, Time is of the essence,” he added.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a discussion over the phone on Tuesday (March 02). The discussion focused on the latest development and the on-going humanitarian assistance in the Tigray regional state. Secretary Blinken acknowledged Ethiopia’s recent announcement of full and unhindered humanitarian access in Tigray. He also highlighted the United States’ commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to people in need of help throughout Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held an encouraging conversation with U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe on Wednesday (March 03) about the situation in the Tigray regional state. The Prime Minister shared with the Senator that his government has given unfettered access to humanitarian organizations in Tigray. Senator Inhofe said opening access to the Tigray region is a significant development that represents a positive turnaround that will promote regional stability and transparency. Following the discussion, Senator Inhofe tweeted “I’m encouraged by this significant step that Prime Minister Abiy took today to promote access to the Tigray region, especially for international relief organizations.” “Since being elected in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy has been a transformational leader in Ethiopia. I am confident that his work at advancing regional stability and prosperity will continue,” he added. Prime Minister Abiy and Senator Inhofe promised to continue talking in the coming weeks and months.
We have heard the encroachment of the Sudanese army deep into the Ethiopian territories only a few days after we have launched the law enforcement operation against the rogue and intransigent TPLF clique on November 06, 2020. Adding salt to our injury, we are now listening to some Sudanese officials claiming that the Ethiopian government had given them a green light to deploy their forces and occupy Ethiopian lands. They have misinterpreted, deliberately or through external pressures, the Ethiopian government’s friendly request to the Sudanese side to seal off the common borders to cut the lifelines of TPLF. (See article)
Ethiopians have warmly celebrated the 125th anniversary of the victory of the Adwa battle on Tuesday (March 02). The celebration is a reminder of what the victory means to Ethiopians and Africans and with the possibility of drawing lessons to face the challenges that we have faced today. (See article)
Ethiopia has scheduled to hold the 6th general elections on 5 June 2021, to appoint members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional state councils. About 50 million people are expected to register for voting except for the Tigray region. According to information provided by the NEBE (National Electoral Board of Ethiopia), voters’ registration will take place from March 25, 2021, to April 23, 2021.What are the challenges and opportunities observed so far? (See article)
The Office of the Prime Minister has issued a statement on Wednesday (March 03) on the Tigray Region Rule of Law Operations. The Federal Government of Ethiopia encourages international partners interested in supporting our efforts of rebuilding the Tigray region to engage constructively, the statement reads, adding, “Engagements need to be based on ensuring that the people of the region receive the assistance they need for life to fully return to normalcy.” The statement further states, “Ethiopia rejects any partisan interventions and politically motivated campaigns against the country and government, aimed at undermining the rule of law measures it has taken and will continue to take in bringing the criminal clique and other perpetrators to justice. The Ethiopian people, in all corners of the country, have paid sacrifices over a span of three decades due to the criminality of the TPLF and are now intent on forging ahead on to the path of democratization, enduring peace and development.”
Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) announced on Thursday (March 04) the relocation of 295 more Eritrean refugees to Mai-Aini and Adi-Harush camps. The Agency stated that the number of Eritrean refugees who have been so far relocated to the two comps has reached 5,844. According to ARRA, Emergency Shelters construction continues abreast with their arrival from Shire and its surroundings. It is to be recalled that Agency Director-General Tesfahun Gobezay, and a team of UNHCR Officials lead by Ann Allen Encontre, Country Representative in Ethiopia paid a visit to Mai-Ani and Adi-harush refugee camps on Saturday 23rd of January 2021.
Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy Dr. Seleshi Bekele on Thursday (March 04) discussed with the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two sides discussed the trilateral negotiation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). DRC is the current chair of the African Union (AU). On the occasion, Dr. Seleshi briefed the delegation about Ethiopia’s position on the dam, according to a statement posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page. He said, “Ethiopia remains committed to a win-win solution and looks forward to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s stewardship in this matter.” The Minister further said that Ethiopia remains committed to African solutions for African problems through trilateral negotiations. Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan resumed the AU-led negotiations on the dam in July last year under the overall leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the then Chairperson of the Union.
The Ethiopian government on Tuesday called on the United States to stop interfering with the country’s internal affairs. Addis Ababa’s call comes one day after the US government urged Eritrean and Ethiopia’s Amhara regional forces to immediately withdraw from conflict-hit Tigray. “The immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces and Amhara regional forces from Tigray are essential first steps” Antony J. Blinken, US Secretary of State said in a statement issued last Saturday. Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday responded saying that the United States should not interfere with Ethiopia’s internal affairs stressing that as a sovereign state, it is the sole responsibility of the Ethiopian government, to deploy any security apparatus to ensure the rule of law across its territory. (See article)
Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen bade farewell to the departing chairperson of the African Union Commission, Kwesi Quartey on Thursday (March 04). On the occasion, Demeke thanked the Ghanaian diplomat for his productive tenure and leading a commendable program at the Commission. The two sides also discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between Ghana and Ethiopia. The Deputy Prime Minister seized the opportunity to call African countries to come together under the AU charter and work for the prosperity of their people. He also briefed the Deputy Chairperson on the current situation in Ethiopia and the efforts and measures by the government to address the situation. He appreciated the stand taken by the African Union on this matter.
The statement and the facts given by the Finish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto are purely unverified said Hirut Zemene Ethiopian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and EU institutions in a letter to the Editor of EU Observer. “It is regrettable that the statement and facts given by Pekka Haavisto about the situation in Ethiopia didn’t reflect the current reality on the ground and contain unsubstantiated claims.” Ambassador Hirut, on behalf of Ethiopia embassy, set the record straight to the esteemed readership by stating the facts about the situation in Ethiopia, particularly in Tigray. The Finnish foreign minister, during his visit to Ethiopia in mid-February, was accorded the opportunity to be briefed on the situation in Tigray by relevant higher government officials of Ethiopia, including with the Prime Minister, she added. “The government of Ethiopia was also more than willing to facilitate travel to the region for the foreign minister to have a first-hand account of the situation in Tigray.” However, Minister Haavisto showed no interest to travel to the region, but instead resorted to visit the refugee camp in neighboring Sudan and extrapolate grossly inadequate information to provide unfounded claims that put unnecessary pressure on the government of Ethiopia,” she said.
Eritrea
Twenty one patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out on Thursday (March 04) at Quarantine Centers in Gash Barka and Central Regions. Out of these, twenty patients are from Quarantine Centers in Adibara (6), Om-Hajer (4), Goluj (4), Ali Ghidir (4), and Agordat (2), in Gash Barka Region. The last patient is from Asmara, Central Region. On the other hand, four patients who have been receiving medical treatment in the Central (3), and Gash Barka (1), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities. The total number of recovered patients to-date has accordingly risen to 2388 while the number of deaths stands at seven. The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 2913.
Djibouti
At least 20 migrants perished on Wednesday (March 03) after human smugglers pushed 80 off a boat along the East African coast of Obock in Djibouti. Mohammed Abdiker, East & Horn of Africa regional director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said on Twitter the boat was on its way to Yemen when the incident took place. Thousands of young African migrants try to pass through war-torn Yemen looking for jobs in Gulf countries, noted Abdiker. This was the third such tragedy in less than six months, claiming over 70 lives, he added.
Somalia
Somalia on Monday (March 01) made the face masks mandatory after rising in COVID-19 cases amid a deadlier second wave. Omar Mohamud Mohamed Filish, mayor of Mogadishu, the largest and most populated city in the country, announced the use of face masks in all public places mandatory amid the rising numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths. This is the first time face masks have been made compulsory since the first case was detected in March last year in the Horn of Africa country. “All businesses, such as shops, restaurants, banks, and service providers are instructed not to allow the people to their places of business if they are not wearing face masks,” a statement by the Mogadishu mayor said.
The Somali-based al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group al-Shabaab has executed five people in the southern town of Jilib in Somalia’s Middle Juba region. Abdirahman Adan, a local official of the Jubaland administration in the state’s administrative capital Kismayo, told Anadolu Agency over the phone that the people executed by al-Shabaab were civilians. “It’s not the first time al-Shabaab terrorists execute civilians, and they also forced the people of the Jilib town to come out and watch the execution,” he said. Hundreds of people were gathered in Jilib, southern Somalia, where the terror group executed the five people. The Middle Juba is the only region in the Horn of African country that al-Shabaab fully controls. The terror group accused the five executed of spying for US and Somali intelligence agencies, according to al-Shabaab-affiliated media on Tuesday (March 03).
South Sudan
South Sudan’s health ministry said it could consider extending the partial lockdown it recently imposed in the wake of the rising positive cases of the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to reporters in Juba on Sunday (February 28), the incident manager for COVID-19 in the ministry of health, Richard Lako said the number of positive COVID-19 cases reached 7,926 on Sunday. “There is real community transmission, cases are still going up and the number of deaths is going up which calls for us to extend this partial lockdown in order to reduce transmission,” he explained.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has urged East African leaders to waive visa fees for South Sudanese. Kiir spoke while addressing the 21st Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State held virtually on Saturday (February 27). “It is in our best interest to ease the movement of people and goods within the region in order to facilitate trade and investment as well as contribute to our end goal of East African regional integration,” he said.
Sudan
Sudanese and Egyptian armies signed a military cooperation agreement on Tuesday (March 02). The military deal was signed in Khartoum by the Sudanese army chief of staff, Lt Gen Mohamed-Osman al-Hussein and his Egyptian counterpart Lt Gen Mohamed Farid who arrived in the Sudanese capital on Monday leading a high-level military delegation. “The multiplicity and severity of threats surrounding national security and common interests call for integration between brothers,” stressed the Egyptian general.
Sudan will propose to the new African Union Chairperson to form a quadripartite mediation to broker the stalled talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). On Thursday, a delegation headed by Alphonse Ntumba Luaba from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which recently took over the presidency of the African Union arrived in Khartoum to explore the Sudanese position on the filling and the operation of the giant hydropower dam. “The Sudanese government hopes that DRC President Felix Tshisekedi will persuade Ethiopia and Egypt to accept quadripartite mediation that includes the African Union, the European Union and the United States in addition to the United Nations,” a senior Sudanese government official told the media on Wednesday.
Sudan and Uganda agreed to hold a meeting for the Nile basin countries to discuss how to benefit from the world’s largest river. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereign Council of Sudan was on a one-day visit to Entebbe Wednesday (March 03) to congratulate President Museveni for his victory in the recently held presidential elections “I wish to say congratulations to you, the people of Uganda and the entire region upon winning the recent elections. You are an inspiring leader in the region and Africa,” al-Burhan said according to a statement by the Ugandan presidency. For its part, the Sovereign Council said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the two countries Uganda and the Republic of Sudan as well as regional matters. The Sudanese presidency further said that al-Burhan and Museveni agreed to convene a summit for the Nile basin countries.
Atul Khare, UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Sudan on Monday (March 01) discussed with the Prime Minister on UNAMID’s drawdown and ways to ensure a successful withdrawal. Last December, the UN Security Council terminated the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on 31 December 2020. The former mission is now withdrawing its military and civilian personnel as the liquidation process should be completed by 30 June 2021.
The Sudanese government announced on Saturday (February 27) an action plan on five axes to achieve the goals of the transitional period including economic reform, comprehensive peace, democratic transformation and foreign relations. The plan was adopted during a three-day retreat for the whole cabinet members to set the priorities of the second cabinet formed on 8 February after the inclusion of the armed groups, signatory of the Juba peace agreement on 3 October 2020.
10 people were killed and 32 others were injured on Wednesday (March 03) as a result of tribal clashes in Saraf Omra locality in North Darfur state. The clashes erupted on Wednesday morning when the Fur tribe rejected a ceremony, at Saraf Omra municipality, celebrating the inauguration of the newly elected Sultan of the Tama tribe, saying that this African ethnic group has no land in the area which belongs to the Fur tribe. The Rapporteur of the State Security Committee, Maj Genl Yahia Mohamed Ahmad al-Nur told reporters that a dispute over the ownership of the land between the Fur and Tama tribes caused the accident.
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Let’s Break the Cycle of Unilateral Actions to Settle Ethiopia-Sudan Border Dispute
We have heard the encroachment of the Sudanese army deep into the Ethiopian territories only a few days after we have launched the law enforcement operation against the rogue and intransigent TPLF clique on November 06, 2020. Adding salt to our injury, we are now listening to some Sudanese officials claiming that the Ethiopian government had given them a green light to deploy their forces and occupy Ethiopian lands. They have misinterpreted, deliberately or through external pressures, the Ethiopian government’s friendly request to the Sudanese side to seal off the common borders to cut the lifelines of TPLF. Indeed, the government of the Sudan has kept its words, made out of its own volition, and closed its borders. It even went to the extent of handing over some TPLF soldiers that crossed Sudan’s borders to the government of Ethiopia. For that we are grateful and this is what friends are for!
Be that as it may, the people and the government of Ethiopia are deeply dismayed by the belligerent actions of the Sudanese military forces against our people on their own farmlands. As reports indicate, following the Sudanese military incursion, many of our citizens lost their lives, their properties were vandalized, farms were looted and houses were set on fire and many Ethiopians were displaced and uprooted from their livelihoods. Some Sudanese military officials unashamedly have continued blowing their own trumpets announcing that they are advancing their military offensive to fully reclaim “Sudanese lands” from the Ethiopian farmers. A legitimate question one has to ask here is that on what grounds are the Sudanese claiming that the land that they have occupied by displacing Ethiopians belongs to them?
What do Public Records Say?
As anyone can refer to available records on the matter, the two countries have never had a mutually agreed upon demarcation of their 1600 k.m long border before the secession of South Sudan. Indeed, there was an agreement in 1902 between the two sides that delimited the borderlines. It was Major Gwynn, representing the colonial rule of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Sudan, who carried out the delimitation process as per the provisions of the agreement. The border dispute between the two nations began when Major Gwynn unilaterally demarcated the border in 1903 defying the 1902 agreement which stipulates that the demarcation of the borderlines should be carried out in the presence of Ethiopian and Sudanese representatives and the authorization of the Ethiopian Government.
Besides breaching the 1902 agreement, Major Gwynn’s unilateral demarcation of the border proved to be unusable because it failed to capture the reality on the ground. The demarcation particularly in the area North of Mount Dagleish remained controversial and disputed to date. We have been persistent in our objection to Major Gwynn’s unilateral actions that failed to translate the artificially drawn lines into actual landmarks turning a blind eye to the nature of the landscape and settlement issues. As Major Gwynn represented Sudan during the demarcation process, it would be naive to expect him to impartially treat the interests of both countries. Above all, the majority of the inhabitants of the disputed land were Ethiopians settling there and acknowledging the administration of the Ethiopian government.
Setting aside the jingoistic and populist rhetoric from some of the military leaders of the Sudan that pretended as if the issue has never been disputable, it is clear that the leaders of the two countries have always been aware of the Elephant in the room. There were sporadic clashes among Ethiopian and Sudanese farmers in the disputed area. But the problem has never invited a large scale military intervention from both sides.
It is in public records that officials from both countries have inked various bilateral agreements and established joint boundary mechanisms to amicably solve the issue up until the recent unwarranted actions of the Sudanese military. One of the notable attempts to do so was the 1972 Exchange of Notes made between the then Foreign Ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia. The 1972 Exchange of Notes furnished both sides with an opportunity to study the problem arising from settlement and cultivation North of Mount Dagelish. It was mainly an agreement between the two sides to proceed with the re-demarcation process from Mount Dagleish southwards with some preconditions.
Accordingly, as per the 1972 Exchange of Notes, both sides established a Joint Special Committee that would study the matter, prior to the re-demarcation of the Gwynn line North of Mount Dagleish, and submit results, containing an amicable solution to the problem, to the Joint Ministerial Commission. Although the Joint Special Committee convened 8 rounds of meetings to propose an amicable solution, it has not yet finalized its mandate. The work of the Joint Special Committee was still in progress when the Sudanese army started its unprecedented offensive.
Whose Interests are the Sudanese army Protecting Anyway?
Whatever motivated the Sudanese side to backstab its long-time friend, it is a grave mistake loaded with paramount consequences. Some adventurous military personnel might have thought that the Ethiopian Defence Forces are now weak due to the injury they have sustained following the surprise attack of the TPLF and the law enforcement operation that ensued in the Tigray region. If that is the way that Sudan justifies invading Ethiopian territories, then they are repeating the ever-recurring mistakes of foreign aggressors who tried to compromise our sovereignty. We urge our Sudanese friends to come to their senses and get a lesson from history that the people of Ethiopia have never been weak when it comes to protecting their country’s sovereignty under any circumstances.
It is only a few months back since the people of the Sudan have marched in the streets determined to unseat the former regime. The people of Sudan dared to risk their lives to get a better life, unchain themselves from the shackles of deep-rooted corruption, and above all get a civilian government that respects human and democratic rights. The protestors have never asked for the invasion of Ethiopian lands as a way out of their troubles. The legitimate questions of the Sudanese people will not be solved through beating war drums and marching against Ethiopia as the leaders of the Sudanese military is doing now. Ethiopia believes that all sound-minded Sudanese leaders will oppose the futile adventure of some of the country’s military personnel and warmongers who want to exploit the opportunity to settle old scores and wield political power through advancing populist agendas.
As the Ethiopian government repeatedly said, both of the people of Sudan and Ethiopia should not be hoodwinked into serving the interests of third parties that calculated to profit out of the mutual destabilization of the two countries. We hoped the Sudanese military would question what the people of Sudan will finally get through the army’s service as the Trojan horse for the enemies of Ethiopia. Experience taught us that some countries never cease their old way of thinking that does not hesitate to profit out of the misfortune of others. We urge our Sudanese brothers and sisters to open their eyes and see who really is benefiting from the escalation of the conflict.
What Shall be Done?
Whatever problems existed between the two countries, resorting to violence will not serve the inherent needs of the people of Sudan and Ethiopia. We have seen enough of wars and the destructive results of mutual suspicion that used to exist between the successive regimes of both countries. But following the popular regime changes in both of the countries, we thought we have begun a new chapter in our relationship underpinning the aspirations and the inherent needs of our people.
Being steer clear of mistakes made in the past, and with a clear understanding of the destructive nature of suspicion among neighbors, the government of Ethiopia has crafted a policy that governs its relationship with its neighbors based on the principles of cooperation and fraternity. Sensing our commitment to regional peace, the people of Sudan have showered us with an appreciation for the initiative our government took to strike a successful deal among various parties of the Sudan following the overthrow of Albashir’s regime. Ethiopia has also been diligent in supporting Sudan’s bid to be delisted from the US list of states that sponsor terrorism. Through these and many other actions, we have been trying to put the relationship between the two countries on a more enticing and upward trajectory.
We will always be grateful to the people of Sudan for accommodating Ethiopian refugees with open arms during the infamous drought season of the 1980s. Thanks to the people of Sudan, they are also hosting some Ethiopians who have fled their country during the recent law enforcement operation of the government in the Tigray region. We are also not unmindful of the genuine commitment of the government of Sudan to reaching a win-win solution between the negotiating parties over the GERD, saving the recently observed hiccups.
Unlike the government level relationships, the sense of cooperation and sympathy to each other among the people of the two countries has always been there, especially among peoples who have settled along the border of the two countries who share many commonalities. Although sporadic skirmishes happen now and then, these people have always been solving their problems through their own initiatives. They have always understood that poverty and lack of good governance are their true enemies and had never believed a military confrontation would have an iota of importance to improve their livelihoods.
What the Sudanese army did recently, however, commensurate neither to the nascent friendship between the governments of the two countries nor with the longstanding brotherhood that existed among the people of Ethiopia and the Sudan. It is regrettable to see that the “success” of the Sudanese military in attacking and displacing Ethiopian farmers is taken as a weakness of the Ethiopian army, overshadowing our government’s patience to solve the matter amicably. We are observing that some of the leaders of the Sudan are beating war drums, denying the existence of land dispute between the two countries, and at the same time claiming that they are ready for negotiation.
We would like to firmly reiterate our government’s stance on the matter which affirms the existence of a border dispute between the two countries and our genuine belief that the issue can be solved amicably through bilateral negotiation. However, prior to any negotiation, as a first step to reach an amicable solution, we demand the Sudanese army to evacuate the area that it has occupied currently by displacing Ethiopian farmers as of November 6, 2020. We also demand compensation to our farmers whose movable and immovable properties are vandalized, looted, and destroyed by the Sudanese army. Once the status quo is maintained, we shall reactivate the Joint Special Committee that was formed to study and submit a final report on the matter to the appropriate body as per the 1975 Exchange of notes. Upon reaching an amicable solution, as per the recommendations of the Joint Special Committee, then we will proceed to re-demarcating the Gwynn line, particularly in the sector north of Mount Dagleish.
Given the nature of our new political order that treasures peace and the value of forging regional-level economic integration, we believe the future is bright, not only to the people of Ethiopia and the Sudan, but to all of the countries in the Horn of Africa. We should continue linking our countries through infrastructures and inking valuable agreements to further facilitate trade in the region. It would be mutually beneficial if we no longer allow border disputes to cover our eyes from seeing the big picture. Borders are becoming fluid, though still important, and we should break the cycle of being victims of unilateral and belligerent actions that would haunt us back sooner or later. Above all, we should be careful not to set a bad precedent to our neighbors regarding the way they should solve border disputes they may have with each other.
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Drawing lessons from the victory of the Adwa battle
Ethiopians have warmly celebrated the 125th anniversary of the victory of the Adwa battle on Tuesday (March 02). The celebration is a reminder of what the victory means to Ethiopians and Africans and with the possibility of drawing lessons to face the challenges that we have today.
For Ethiopians, the name Adwa resonates with freedom, defiance, and unity in the face of formidable enemies. It is a reminder of our struggle to assert that we are perfectly normal to live life on our terms. It is a reminder that Ethiopians withstood the self-proclaimed “civilization” campaign of the Italian colonial army. It is a reminder that we were unwilling and unable to bow down to the fantasies and arrogance of another human being, who is created with the same qualities as we have, except with different skin color. Our forefathers and mothers were not ready to accept dictations from an invading power and live life accepting the values and cultures of an alien entity.
Back then, we didn’t have the privilege of employing transport and communication technologies to employ into the battle. But we have managed to properly maintain communication and army discipline across all units of the peasant-based Ethiopian troops. Again, although the troops were comprised of various ethnic groups, religious backgrounds and belong to various cultural affinities, their differences did not deter them from defeating their formidable foe. Their absolute hatred to bow down before their enemy obliterated all of these barriers in communication and logistics. Gender differences also didn’t matter at the time. The role of women was also indispensable in boosting the morale of the Ethiopian soldiers. History tells us that our women were active in offering military advice to encircle and suffocate the enemy in decisive fronts too. This is the other meaning of Adwa to Ethiopians-standing united and tall before their enemies setting aside all of their differences.
The name Adwa also resonates with the deep feelings of all the freedom-loving human beings and in particular with Africans and all black people irrespective of their geographical residences. The decisive defeat of the aspiring Italian colonialists at the battle of Adwa energized the anti-colonialism struggles and reignited the minds of many with the possibility to get rid of the enemy which was considered as an unshakable mountain. It was an eye-opener that what seemed an insurmountable mountain can be demolished with unity and determination. The pan African movement and its successive meetings following the news of the Adwa victory got a morale boost from Ethiopia’s defiance against colonial invaders. The testament to the stretching implications of the battle of Adwa is the choice of African countries to establish the Headquarter of the then Organization of the African Union (OAU) in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia has never been oblivious to the plight of its African brothers and sisters even after the formation of the then OAU. We had a mantra that dictates, “Unless we all are free, no one is free”. Our African brothers, including South Africa, are witnesses to Ethiopia’s commitment to see Africa free from oppression. Today, as a continent, we have come so far in paving the way for creating a much more united front to advance the interests of Africa as a single entity. The transformation of the OAU into the African Union was a great leap forward. The recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area is also a step forward to facilitate the free movement of goods and people in Africa to facilitate the economic integration of the continent. We hope we will be able to lift many of our citizens out of poverty and be able to meet our goals and meet Agenda 2063.
Reciting the victory of Adwa, however, without giving due attention to its implications to what is happening today will not help us move forward. We can confidently say that we have learned from history when we apply its lessons either to repeat our victory or refrain from doing the same mistake again. One of the lessons of Adwa is that what seems an insurmountable problem can be taken to a level playing field with proper preparations and unity. And the other one is that Africans can solve their problems through their initiative and do not need the tutelage of any external power.
We are fighting to assert our rights to utilize the Nile Basin Resources today. But, we have refused to play by the rules of the game that were set by the colonial bodies that had no interest to protect the rights of Ethiopians. Setting aside all the details of the negotiation over the filling and operation of our Renaissance Dam so far, it is good to mention it again that Ethiopia is deeply committed to and has absolute trust over the AU-led negotiations among the tripartite. All Ethiopians should also roll up their sleeves to provide all the necessary support to the completion of the building of the dam.
By the same token, Ethiopia urges African brothers and sisters to pressure Sudan to show restraint from its belligerence and to withdraw its troops from the territories that it has occupied by displacing civilians and plundering everything on its way. We can solve the border issue by applying existing mechanisms and there is no need to kill one another without any sufficient cause. As we have repeatedly said, what the Sudanese government did commensurate neither with the longstanding relationship of the two people or the exchange of Notes that we have made in 1972 that prohibits the use of force to settle border issues. Our agreement was in fact to keep the status quo until an amicable solution is reached to settle the matter. One of the miscalculations of the invading Italian army in attacking Ethiopia was its conclusion which was based on a flawed premise that Ethiopians cannot face their enemy because they are divided along many lines. The enemies of Ethiopia should always think twice before attacking the country based on a seemingly fragile unity among people. Although it appears fluid at times, it remains strong; and with unwarranted attacks, it gets even stronger.
The people and government of Ethiopia are also grateful to our African brothers and sisters, particularly our neighbors, for understanding the recently completed law enforcement operation as a matter of the sovereignty of the country. Thanks to this cooperation, TPLF is a closed chapter in Ethiopia’s history. The statements by the 38th Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government, including the statement by the African Union Commission Chairman, have strengthened our belief in Africa and proved to us that it has never been in vain.
There are some corners of the world and cronies who are besetting us to open the closed chapter and negotiate with a non-existing entity. The echelons of the TPLF are either neutralized or are in jail waiting for justice to be served. We are busy delivering important humanitarian support in the region covering 70% of the delivered items so far. We urge the international community to stand by the government’s efforts to help its citizens in Tigray. Finger-pointing will neither serve the interest of people in Tigray nor smooth the relationship with the Ethiopian government. Let’s not stare too much at closed doors, lest we lose opportunities waiting for us in the opened ones. What we need right now is the real support that adds something to help people who need humanitarian assistance and Ethiopia hopes all Africans will continue to stand with it as usual.
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Ethiopia’s Upcoming Election: Prospects and Challenges
Ethiopia has scheduled to hold the 6th general elections on 5 June 2021, to appoint members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional state councils. About 50 million people are expected to register to vote except for the Tigray region. According to information provided by the NEBE (National Electoral Board of Ethiopia), voters’ registration will take place from March 25, 2021, to April 23, 2021.
Giving due attention to the upcoming election, Last week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had held a virtual meeting with regional presidents and the head of the National Elections Board of Ethiopia. The meeting assessed the preparedness level of the regions for the upcoming elections in ensuring peace and security, as well as availing other necessary logistical elements. This is one of the good gestures of the government to hold a fair and free election while unchaining itself from the infamous records of the previous elections that were held before the establishment of the current political administration. As a research piece on the International Journal of Ethiopian Studies asserted, Ethiopia since 1991 has had regular elections but, with the prominent exception of 2005, none has offered most Ethiopians a meaningful choice.
Positive results registered so far through the independently functioning National Electoral Board of Ethiopia coupled with the Government’s commitment to making the election democratic by encouraging competing political parties to have a say on the matter have made many optimistically wait for the upcoming general elections in the country. As the Chatham house webinar discussion which was held on February 3, 2021, indicated, the upcoming general election will be the first major electoral test for the ruling Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, since its establishment in 2019.
Speaking at the same platform, Birtukan Mideksa, Head of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), said that this upcoming election will not be similar to that of the past elections process which didn’t garner confidence from the general public and the major stakeholders. She said the next election will reflect the changes in the reform process in the country, particularly the legal framework, which changed the election law and directives, including the way the board members are nominated through the participation of political parties. In the drafting processes of the legal framework, NEBE created an environment to make it very participatory for all parties and 100 civil societies expressed their views, propose recommendations, and NEBE tried to accommodate all voices and recommendations, she said.
One of the participants in the Chatham house discussion, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, Attorney General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said that this upcoming election would be conducted in a context of much greater freedom and democratic space as compared to the previous elections. One of the challenges we had to face was the propensity or proclivity of the political class to resort to violence to advance their political agenda. He said our history is marked by autocratic dispensations that were abetted by a political culture that is not in line with democratic ethos and values. There are very extremist and radical political views that are accompanied by incitement and instigation of violence, hate speech, disinformation, which need to be tackled, he said.
Prominent opposition party leader Professor Beyene Petros, Chairman of Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (ESDP), on his part, said that this time there is an improvement with regard to leveling the electoral landscape. He said he is encouraged by the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s personal engagement, the participation of civil society, better confidence in the election as political parties participated in the drafting process of the law, which is a new phenomenon.
According to Professor Berhanu Nega, Leader, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA), although it is a period of social media dominance where unfiltered stories mostly sensational and truthful have a very large sway in the minds of a population and a point where truth and reason discourse has become increasingly difficult in our public life, it is our chance to turn the page move toward more accountable, fair and equitable democratic governance. The upcoming election, he hoped, will witness a meaningful battle of ideas.
In concluding with the words of Dr. Gedion Timothewos, the election is a milestone and critical in a democratic transition but not the alpha and omega of the reform process. “It is not expected a flawless election. Rather It will be the most democratic one”.
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