The current Ethiopia-US relations which is receiving a further momentum comes at the right time when the two-side’s need one another to consolidate their people’s, the region’s and international benefits.
In addition to beefing up the already strong relations built on century-old interaction, it will also lay the foundation to further strengthen the multifaceted relation in the future. The two countries established diplomatic relations 120 years ago. Throughout the years their relations has enjoyed many commendable undertakings that remain indelible in the history of the two counties and still remain fresh in the minds of their peoples.
It has also passed through ups and downs. This shows that their relations time tested, resilient to hunches and messes that flare up time after time. As can be remembered the last two years were times of concern for both sides. Yet all the issues that raised the concerns have been settled and the two countries have resorted to their usual, decades old business of nurturing their strong bilateral relations that encompasses social, economic cooperation, among others.
One of the key areas the two countries collaborated is the fight against terrorism. In this regard, these old friends can put commendable impact in countering terrorist’s plots and cooperate in denying space for terrorists that could see the region as safe haven to launch attacks on various entities. In so doing, it is not only the two parties that reap the dividends of peace and security but gains for the international community is also immense.
The US has been strong partner of Ethiopia’s development efforts as well as close collaborator during harsh times like severe drought that hits the country periodically. Such strong relations can set the example to a modern diplomatic relations it must be sustained through principle for which both sides stick to contain the emergence of any temporary issue in the country or in the world.
Ethiopia always stands firm in its foreign policy. As it pursues a color blind foreign policy, it engages in fraternal relations that promote socio-economic, cultural and people to people ties. Through this fair and balanced policy, it is able to cement strong relations with countries in all corners of the world. It mainly focuses on serving its national interest without traversing the national interest of other countries. This approach should further continue in the future as unflinching covenant that guarantees the trust of other countries with which it established diplomatic relations.
The same should apply with its relations with the US. Just as the country upheld its diplomatic relations with the US while keeping its national interest intact, it must also look for means of realigning its economic activities so as to reap the maximum possible benefit from the US. In this case the government should work strenuously to convince the US government to allow Ethiopia rejoin the list of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary countries.
The opportunity to export its produces to the US market through AGOA was a vital opportunity to Ethiopia in maximizing its export, earning foreign currency as well as building the capacity of its manufacturing sector. The conflict in northern Ethiopia which is the precedent for Ethiopia’s delisting from AGOA is settled, the government should forge ahead to regain the opportunity which is worthwhile for considerable number of citizens as well as the country.
Furthermore, the visit by Secretary Blinken is an opportune moment to garner the necessary financial, technical and diplomatic support for Ethiopia’s large scale development projects in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing industry as well as environmental protection endeavor.
The Ethiopian March 16/2023
