Fortune News | Feb 17,2024
Nov 11 , 2023
By Hintsa Andebrhan
Ethiopia’s abstention in a United Nations (UN) vote on a ceasefire for humanitarian aid in Gaza has sparked surprise and drew attention, as it appears at odds with the expectations of a country led by a Nobel Peace laureate, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
The abstention raises questions about whether Ethiopia seeks support from Israel on the global stage, primarily due to the internal crisis and geopolitical tensions with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). By abstaining, Ethiopia could be angling for diplomatic backing, albeit in a complex matrix where the interests of the United States and Egypt, both influential allies of Israel, are deeply interwoven.
In the language of diplomacy, abstention can often be a strategic move, indicating a desire to remain neutral or to avoid making a difficult decision on contentious issues. In the case of Gaza, Ethiopia’s position is less indicative of strategic diplomacy and more a signal of either indecision or overcautious politics. Prime Minister Abiy has been clear about his ambitions for Ethiopia to be a significant player in the geopolitics of the Red Sea arena. Yet, the recent abstention could suggest a miscalculation in Ethiopia’s diplomatic posture, potentially undermining its broader strategic objectives.
There should be a concern that Ethiopia’s understanding of Arab countries’ foreign policies about Israel and Palestine may be lacking, potentially jeopardising its efforts to navigate the geopolitics of the region. There is a call for Ethiopia to develop a more autonomous and informed foreign policy, one that is less influenced by Western powers and their now assertive adversaries and more attuned to the dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
As the global focus shifts between geopolitical hotspots, from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to the Israeli-Palestinian tensions, US President Joe Biden has expressed confidence in managing both crises concurrently. This contrasts with the more cautious view of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who has warned of the domestic economic strain of supporting military aid to both Ukraine and Israel. The shifting spotlight has seemingly placed Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a position of expressing concern over his country’s plight being overshadowed by the Gaza conflict.
This situation underscores the competitive nature of international crises for global attention and resources.
The dichotomy in approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also evident on the world stage. Western countries traditionally advocate for dialogue, while powers like Russia and China push for definitive resolutions, such as the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In Africa, responses to the Israel-Palestine conflict are varied. Countries like South Africa and Algeria have voiced strong support for Palestine, revealing a divide across the continent. A few of the African countries have chosen silence or neutrality, while others displayed open solidarity with either Israel or Palestine.
Taking a side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a simple decision for any administration, particularly for one navigating without a clearly defined and articulated foreign policy. While political and diplomatic positions are crucial, at the heart of the matter is a moral and legal obligation to uphold human dignity and the imperative to support humanitarian causes.
For Ethiopia, a country often hailed as a symbol of early human civilisation and freedom, abstaining from the UN vote is more than a political manoeuvre — it touches on the core values of human solidarity and the country’s historical ethos. The decision to abstain, thus, is not merely a reflection of Ethiopia’s current diplomatic strategy but also its place and identity on the international stage.
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 11,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1228]
Fortune News | Feb 17,2024
My Opinion | Oct 14,2023
Commentaries | Jan 07,2024
Fortune News | Apr 06,2024
Photo Gallery | 98810 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 91031 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 76666 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 72955 Views | Aug 21,2021
Editorial | May 18,2024
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
May 18 , 2024
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) took a handful of his cabinet members last week to th...
May 11 , 2024
The ruling Prosperity Party - the Prosperitians - has its leaders turned to the Publi...
May 2 , 2024
For successive generations of Ethiopia's tax authorities, the chore of tax collection...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
May 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
A Federal Higher Court ruling has ended the legal battle between BGI-Ethiopia...
May 18 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
With the impending Meher season, lawmakers' focus shifts to the distribution of ferti...
May 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
A recent regulatory change that removed the wage requirement for workers under private employment agencies, is sparking concerns about explo...
May 18 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
Behind the nondescript facade of a drop-in centre in Addis Abeba, a quiet struggle unfolds nightly. Among...