While the main objective of Ethiopia’s foreign policy is to serve its internal development agendas, on the other hand, the socio-political and economic success stories internally have played a key role for the country’s diplomatic success externally.
Through its foreign relations, Ethiopia aspires to achieve sustainable development and overall transformation. The very principle of the country’s foreign affairs and national security policy focuses on establishing bilateral relations with countries, putting the aforementioned objective at the center.
Accordingly, based on the principle of protecting mutual interests, the country pursues diplomatic relations with any country as long as it serves its goal of getting rid of poverty, achieving sustainable development and building a sustainable democratic system.
True, traditionally, because of its history, geopolitical importance, and religious and socio-cultural contacts with the outside world, Ethiopia has never been a new comer to the international diplomatic scene. Since ancient times, Ethiopian rulers established diplomatic ties with their African, Asian and European counterparts.
At the dawn of the 20th century, Ethiopia, being one of the only two independent countries in Africa, received due attention by European forces that opened embassies and consulates in Addis Ababa.
Latter, it was also the only African country to become member of the failed League of Nations. Being a beacon of freedom for black people and Africans, and its relentless contribution to the freedom of others, opened the door for the country to be the seat of the Organization for African Unity and then the AU.
Having all these rich tradition in the diplomatic sphere, the one thing that was an obstacle to Ethiopia in playing a constructive role in the international diplomatic arena had been poverty. The success stories in the economic front over the past decade, coupled with the age-long tradition of international relations, have now enabled the country to carve out a better position for itself in the international diplomatic and political arena.
As in the past, Ethiopia does not make headlines for famine, calling for a helping hand to feed its millions of starved children. In fact, now, Ethiopia is an oasis of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. It is a preferred destination for the main players in international politics to pursue partnership for the sake of global, continental and regional peace and stability.
Countries from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas come to Ethiopia to do businesses of various types even at a time when there has been unrest in some parts of the country. This has been witnessed by the high level visits of the foreign ministers of the US, Russia, and the UAE, the French business delegation, and Director of the International Chamber of Commerce, World Chambers Federation,
Hence, to further uphold our internal strength, it is compulsory that we resolve the developmental, democratic and good governance problems that have become sources of grievance for citizens.
As progress come with various challenges that might result in conflict, it is, more than ever, imperative and timely to come up with civilized conflict resolution and management mechanisms and developed the culture of dialogue. It is only if we can do that we would be able to maintain our growing importance in the international diplomatic arena.