Ethiopia’s valuable diplomatic gains
Gemechu Tussa
Some twenty years back, Ethiopia was one of the countries cut off from the rest of the world. It considered all of its neighboring countries as enemies. As a result, it had no bilateral and multilateral relations. That approach was emanated from the foreign policy of the country which mainly focused on the outside world by the late regime, than looking inward. Due to lack of government commitment and retarding foreign policy Ethiopia was isolated from the rest of the world.
However, everything has altered following the demise of the military regime. The country has been doing its best level to build relations, not only with its neighboring countries, but also with other countries around the world based on mutual benefit and a win-win approach. As a result, it can be said that, it is enjoying warm relations with all African countries, except the State in Asmara.
Due to the consolidated efforts to bring countries to negotiation and mutual cooperation with the entire scenario in the region has already altered. This reflects the mutual interests of African countries, except the state mentioned above have established economic integration and cooperation with other political and social issues.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy and National Security Strategy emphasize priorities like fighting poverty and backwardness and promoting democracy. It made vivid that Ethiopia values relations with its neighbors and has a keen interest in advancing bilateral and multilateral relations on the basis of mutual interest benefit.
Ethiopia’s active participation in the AU as well as IGAD has contributed to the creation of a cooperative framework among countries in the region on issues of common concern including peace initiatives, conflict, disaster early warning and economic integration. Currently, the country is enjoying good relationships with all countries around the world.
It is a public secret that, Ethiopia has been active in working on the resolution of conflicts in Somalia and South Sudan. It has hosted successive peace conferences aimed at bringing together conflicting parties to consensus. It has done everything possible in supporting regional organizations’ efforts to attain sustainable peace in the region in particular and the continent in general.
The Ethiopian Foreign policy opened a new chapter of cooperation which has been characterized by friendship and mutual respect, which mainly focuses on enhancing trade and investment relations with countries in the continent.
Ethiopia enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and other countries around it in addition to its good relations with developed countries. The country has deepened economic cooperation and people-to-people relations with all countries. In doing so, it is working in resolving any dispute that arises among trans-boundary communities over scarce resources.
Ethiopia shares cultural, historic and economic ties with these countries. It is connected with Djibouti due to the railway linking the port of Djibouti with Addis Ababa. There is also a fraternal link between the peoples of both countries, particularly at the borders. They have close ties in security and other areas and they are committed in bringing about economic integration in the region.
The overall relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti have now reached its climax. The relation is already cemented by economic cooperation and other interests. Ethiopia’s relations with its neighbors have become more solid from time to time.
The role of the regional organization, IGAD, in this respect is significant, and its current revitalization is hoped to be a major factor for improving relationships in developing the region. Besides, they have been cooperating against extremism and terrorism, which is in the major interest of all countries in the region, the continent and the international community.
As many analysts argued, the country’s diplomacy mainly demonstrated strategic partnership, economic diplomacy, image building and Diaspora affairs. The country’s diplomatic success has helped to realize regional peace and security. It also contributes to regional integration and development based on mutual benefit and a win-win approach
The full diplomatic operations have laid a solid foundation for the creation of an enabling environment to strengthen the democratic situation and to build its political economy. As a result, it registered a remarkable economic growth and become a source of peace and stability in the region and the continent.
One of the success stories that many people appreciate is its successful strategic partnership with the neighboring countries. The country has opened its neighborhood diplomacy that resulted in the prospects for more cooperation and integrated development.
Ethio-Djibouti cooperative partnership is a symbolic relation to other countries in the continent. This relation is enhanced through connectivity and infrastructural development with the primary objective of creating fully-fledged economic integration.
Ethiopia’s diplomatic relation is not restricted to its neighbors only. It goes far beyond the continent. The country had a strong relation with China, US, Japan, India, Turkey, Korea, EU and other countries along the world, which gave them a fresh impetus to become a reliable partner for all groups to work in regional and global issues.
The country’s bilateral and multilateral diplomacy at present has got its momentum. Its influence and acceptance at the regional, continental and international level has risen from time to time.
It meaningfully participated in the cooperated tasks including economic integration and peace and security maintenance with the collaboration of the inter-governmental, the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations.
Ethiopia’s public diplomacy outreach portraying its image and reputation as well as displaying a true picture overseas through the use of public diplomacy tools, expanded greatly. The Ethiopian public diplomacy has visited Sudan and Egypt previously and its economic diplomacy was another strategic focus of its foreign policy.
In its efforts in the past twenty six years, Ethiopia has got a remarkable success in its diplomatic relations with countries around the world. As a result, leaders of the developed countries had visited Ethiopia and learnt from watching what changes have come and the economic growth of the country. The country’s efforts to establish good bilateral and multilateral relations with countries around the world have become so fruitful.