2013 E.C marked by devotion of Ethiopians at home and abroad to nation’s development, sovereignty: MFA

Addis Ababa, September 9, 2021 (FBC) – Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the concluded 2013 Ethiopian Year has been marked by commitment of Ethiopians and Ethiopian origins abroad to nation’s development and sovereignty.

The active social media participation to counter the widespread misinformation and disinformation campaign launched against Ethiopia and financial donations and moral support extended to the Gebeta Lehager Projects and the all-inclusive support to the construction and filling of the GERD were among the major contributions made by members of the diaspora in line with defending national interests of Ethiopia, he added.

Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today to the media on major political and economic diplomatic activities over the week.

The statement detailed improved practices that would facilitate the humanitarian process. The statement also narrates the atrocities in Afar and Amhara regions made by the TPLF and called on the international community to condemn the criminal group and support affected people.

In his briefing, he said a new wave of false allegations is being lodged by TPLF operatives giving falsified accounts to what are considered reputable International media outlets.

“This time the allegations revolve around the following points which have never been substantiated at all and which are simply parts of the propaganda campaign that aimed to delegitimize the Ethiopian Government,” he underlined.

Regarding GERD, he said Ethiopia was able to withstand all the pressures to take the GERD file to the UN Security Council and to further internationalize and securitize it

“We showed our confidence in the ability of the African Union to lead the negotiation over the GERD guided by the principle of, “African Solutions to African problems,” he noted.

Concerning the situation in Tigray, the Spokesperson said: “Following the unwarranted attack of the TPLF against the ENDF members stationed in Tigray, the government took a successful law enforcement operation where many ring leaders are neutralized and the threat posed against the sovereignty of the country curbed”

“We have seen unfair external pressure and negative portrayal of the government’s narrative by the media and some corners of the international community considering the Tplf as a victim whitewashing almost all of its misdeeds while delegitimizing the Ethiopian government on almost all fronts

However, truth, at last, is prevailing with our concerted effort in shaping the social media narrative and influencing some reluctant bodies to officially condemn the wrongs of the terrorist group”

Regarding the repartiraiton efforts, Ambassador Dina stated that over 1,514 Ethiopians were repatriated from abroad during the last week of which 1,303 from Saudi Arabia, 129 from Yemen and the remaining 82 from Lebanon, he said.

Ethiopia hopes with the establishment of the new government in early October and all-inclusive dialogue with relevant bodies, peace will be returned to the affected people in the Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions, he said.

Brefing the media on Ethio-Sudan border dispute, Ambassador Dina explained that Ethiopia handled the situation regarding the border conflict between the two countries with the utmost patience and civility.

“We, once again, call on Sudan to withdraw from our territories and sit for discussions for a lasting peace according to existing conflict resolution mechanisms,” he underscored.

“We have conducted a transparent and credible election disproving the doomsday prophesies that predicted bloodshed and violence in the country. The African Union Observers and others have also lauded the peaceful conduct of the election,”

“The results of the election and the civilized manner that the Ethiopian people have participated in the process sent a clear signal to our friends that Ethiopians are committed to rallying behind their elected leaders to defend any external and internal challenge that may threaten the sovereignty of the state,”

He also said that the Green legacy initiatives have helped our diplomats to positively portray the image of the country besides adorning Ethiopia with billions of planted seedlings.

The year has been spectacular since it showed us how Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian origins abroad are committed to the development and sovereignty of their country, Ambassador Dina underlined.

Ambassador Dina expressed gratitude for members of the diaspora community for their extremely valuable results that were achieved during the Hands off Ethiopia movements and campaigns that were made together with the Eritrean Diaspora community in supporting the ENDF and refusing undue pressures.