Earlier than the dramatic reversal of the terrorist TPLF group incursion of the Amhara and Afar states, some inappropriately named international media outlets were untiringly playing a part in a smear campaign against Ethiopia, merely for the love of putting their hidden agenda in place.
It is a well-known fact that the discredited international media outlets were waging information warfare against Ethiopia, intending to pursue their hidden objectives bringing a range of conspiracies into play. Even though the terrorist TPLF group committed atrocities and ransacked possessions of noncombatants residing in the Amhara and Afar states, they kept on giving the cold shoulder to the varnished truth seeing that the media outlets were working day in and day out with their paymasters, activists, and supporters of the terrorist groups.
For the sake of serving their hidden interest, some international media outlets pulled out all the stops to put the terrorist TPLF group into power and whiten the mayhems, plundering, gang rape, and other criminal acts perpetrated in the northern parts of Ethiopia. Besides, they have deliberately ignored all the facts basically with a view to hitting the hidden target.
The spread of fake news and misinformation has been meant to put pressure on Ethiopia into succumbing to the interests of the west.
In fact, since the launching of the law enforcement operation, the inappropriately famed international media outlets had been taking sides with the terrorist TPLF group. Albeit the group perpetrated atrocities and ransacked possessions of civilians residing in the Amhara and Afar states, the media outlets kept on turning a deaf ear to the war crimes.
Apart from fighting the terrorist group, Ethiopia has been combating the coordinated media campaign of some international media outlets. They moved heaven and earth to create instability all over the country, for the most part, in Addis Ababa. However, through the coordinated efforts of Ethiopians residing at home and abroad, all their efforts went for nothing in the shortest possible time.
Back in the day, most of the reports of some international media outlets were mystifying the international community with fake news that did not reflect the existing reality on the ground. Moreover, they were, again and again, warning the international community not to set foot in Ethiopia. They were also reporting as if Addis Ababa would fall into the hands of the terrorist TPLF and Shene groups at the earliest possible juncture.
However, through the passage of time, the evil intention of the so-called international media outlets went for nothing almost immediately, when the Ethiopian Defense Forces defeated the terrorist TPLF group and liberated the occupied areas in the Amhara and Afar states.
In what could be said a huge blow to the discredited international media outlets, the African Union made up its mind to hold its summit in Addis Ababa. Furthermore, the leaders decided to hold the summit in AU’s center. This is a clear manifestation of the peaceful status contrary to the falsehood propaganda thrown against the country earlier.
On the topic of the issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MoFA) said that hosting the 35th AU Summit in Addis Ababa will have paramount importance to demonstrate the peace of the country and counter the baseless propaganda of some interest groups.
At a weekly briefing, MoFA Spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti stated that the summit, which will take place next week, also has paramount importance in thwarting the futile attempts of the corporate media.
Noting some countries have made immense efforts to change the venue of the summit under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also the northern conflict, the spokesperson indicated that Ethiopia’s meticulous diplomacy has convinced AU member states to convene the Summit here.
The national committee established to oversee preparations to host the African Union Ministerial and Heads of State and Government Sessions has convened on Tuesday for deliberations. Stakeholders from various sectors took part in the meeting and tabled their plans ranging from protocol services and accommodations to safety issues for further deliberations, Dina elaborated.
In an interview with local media, Getachew Mekonnen, State and Nation Building Researcher at the Institute of Strategic Affairs stated that the coming of leaders of various African countries, heads of international organizations, renowned diplomats, and representatives of various communities to Ethiopia for the conference is of great benefit to Ethiopia.
In addition to foiling the conspiracies of some foreign forces, the conference will have an important role for Ethiopia to improve its influence in the continent, the researcher stated, adding that it will also help Ethiopia strengthen its historic status quo in Africa, according to Getachew.
The researcher further noted that, the coming of the aforementioned guests to Ethiopia helps the international community to better understand the current situation in Ethiopia and to refrain from interfering in Ethiopia’s internal affairs. The coming of representatives of various communities to Ethiopia will help strengthen people-to-people cooperation in Africa, build the image of the country, proliferate the tourism trajectory as well as let other countries of the world know more about Ethiopia.
“The decision to go through with hosting the AU Summit in Addis Ababa shows that the member states did not fall for the US-led Western fake news narrative alleging that the Ethiopian capital is under siege and unsafe,” the American political analyst Andrew Korybko said in an interview he gave to ENA.
As to him, the decision of AU members showed that the bloc solidly stands behind Ethiopia in both its ongoing war on terror against the TPLF and the US-led Western maximum pressure campaign against it.
It also comes after the ENDF crushed TPLF on the battlefield, strategically halted its advance outside of Tigray Region, and began moving forward with the government’s plans to hold an inclusive national dialogue. The AU seemingly approves of all three interconnected developments, he elaborated.
The US-led West has attempted to leverage its far-reaching network of influence across some AU member states to pressure them into changing their plans to hold the bloc’s summit in Addis Ababa, the analyst revealed.
Even if some member states like Egypt are considered to be antagonistic towards Ethiopia, to put it mildly, they decided to fall in line with the rest of the bloc to presumably avoid unnecessarily isolating themselves, according to Korybko.
He further noted that this pragmatic choice suggests that they finally realize the futility of meddling in Ethiopia’s affairs.
It was also intended to divide and rule the bloc based on politicizing other recent internal developments in the country.
Moreover, Korybko underlined that Ethiopia is the continent’s cradle of anti-imperialism and pan-Africanism. It has always played a leading role in African affairs.
“It’s therefore not for naught that the country hosts the AU’s headquarters. Most recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposed that Africa finally be represented on the UN Security Council,” he pointed out.
The initiative has generated widespread support and reaffirmed the country’s historical role in supporting African causes on the world stage.
Be that as it may, on the topic of the summit, Tourism State Minister Selamawit Dawit told Ethiopian Press Agency that, before the outbreak of COVID-19, Ethiopia used to be the magnet of conference tourism. “Thus, completing this summit with success story would attract more international, continental and regional conferences to Ethiopia.”
She further stated that to unlock the country’s potential for conference tourism; all segments of the society together with service providers must play their part in improving the country’s image. “We have to take advantage of the summit to showcase our culture and history,” she indicated.
According to her, efforts are being made to further rejuvenate the tourism industry, which has been revived due to the Diaspora coming back to the country. “Preparations for the efficient and standardized reception of our brothers and sisters from various African countries have been completed.”
She also reported that a national committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and comprised of electricity, security, transport, telecom, and other service providers has been set up to ensure the success of the conference and to provide efficient services to guests.
Selamawit further noted that hotels have been well-ordered to be more welcoming to their guests and improve their menus per their guests’ culture. Works are being done by participating in international institutions to inform Ethiopia of its potential in conference tourism, she said. Adding that, there is a conference tourism department at our ministry to identify Ethiopia’s potential to host various exhibitions, conferences, and others.
All in all, this time around is the best opportunity for Ethiopia to confidently garner the fruits of the AU Summit brought to it withstanding all the ups and downs.
BY ADISSALEM MULAT
SUNDAY EDITION 30 JANUARY 2022
