Ethiopia vis a vis Ethiopians in the Diaspora
Elias
Melaku
The
Reporter
For
different reasons, a good number of Ethiopians are living abroad who have left
their country for decades, if not centuries. Basically, it wouldn't be
difficult not only to speak of the principal reasons why these home-grown
Ethiopians have gone away from the country where they had been brought up and
somewhat educated. It is also difficult to tell why they do keep on living
overseas instead of returning home. For the former, political persecution,
particularly, during the Mengistu era, and economic motive (seeking a better
living condition) are believed to be the main ones and, as far as the latter is
concerned, most Ethiopians who live abroad are in good shape in comparison with
their fellow countrymen who are currently living in their country.
The Derg regime (1974-1991) that had ruled the country
virtually through a state of terror and to which physical persecution and
psychological injury of many Ethiopians was attributed, not to mention the
massacre of a large number of civilians, is responsible for the exodus of
Ethiopian citizens in their thousands. Surprisingly enough, during the reign of
Emperor Haile-Sellassie, it was morally reprehensible for Ethiopians then to
abandon their country and to acquire citizenship of another country no matter
how rich and democratic the country they had gone to might be. In other words,
not returning home from an alien country had been tantamount to an act of
betrayal not only to the country but also to His Majesty the Emperor.
Viewed
in this light (though short of detailed description), the current Ethiopian
government has been encouraging Ethiopians in diaspora to return home so that
they can take part in the socio-economic endeavors that the country has
embarked upon. As an Ethiopian, I sometimes wonder whether Ethiopians in
diaspora are a challenge or an opportunity to their poor but potentially rich
country. Of course, I have long come to know that many Ethiopians get
remittances from relatives and friends for survival and other needs. However,
given the size of the Ethiopian community abroad and its aggregate financial
capability, much could have been done in terms of reducing poverty, hunger and
disease for the benefit of the many. Unlike the preceding regime, EPRDF doesn't
consider Ethiopians in diaspora as enemy of the state or blind opponents to the
ongoing political, economic and social developments within the country. It
(EPRDF) has genuinely expressed its desire and readiness to work together with
all individuals or groups for the sake of changing the lives of the many living
below the poverty line. In fact, it is we Ethiopians who can make a real
difference in our country's economic, political or other matters rather than
distant foreigners and their institutions. Hence, responsible and patriotic
Ethiopians, here as well as abroad, are expected to be concerned and get
involved aggressively in every activity and development for the betterment of
the poor Ethiopians.
In
light of this, Ethiopia's remarkable diplomatic jump towards Ethiopians in
diaspora has been witnessed at the Ethiopian government community meeting which
was held at the Ghion and the Hiliton hotels that attracted a large number of
participants from the latter. During this meeting, top Ethiopian government
officials elaborated major policy issues and entertained different questions. Broadly
speaking, the meeting produced seeds of hope for the expected
expectation that the Ethiopian community whose contributions to the development
of the country is believed to be indispensable and has now become determined
and full of optimism to work with the government in moving the country forward
on the road to some level of economic development.
It
has to be appreciated that the EPRDF has reaffirmed its commitment to play a
pivotal role in providing favourable atmosphere for all Ethiopians including
foreign citizens of Ethiopian origin who want to invest in their country. There
are some rumors from different quarters, though, that Ethiopians in diaspora
are approached by the government for the sole reason that the "financial
muscle" they have could prevent the foreign currency problem of the
country from further deterioration. In principle or as our life philosophy, we
shouldn't be based on rumours of what so-and-so said Rather, we have got to use
our reasoning faculty to do what we believe is right and proper. The same has
to be true for those Ethiopians or foreigners of Ethiopian origin living
abroad. It is an open secret that Ethiopia needs active help to bring about
speedy socio-economic transformation for the benefit of its people. Therefore,
I don't see anything wrong in saying that Ethiopians living overseas are
expected and morally obliged to play a constructive role by using their
potentials (financial, material and skills) as Ethiopia is desperate to improve
the lives of its citizens who have become entangled in chronic economic
problems.
It
is pretty obvious that some Ethiopians residing outside found themselves in
opposition to the EPRDF government and were occasionally portrayed as
negatively charged diaspora lobbying in the midst of the think-thank of foreign
governments and policy-makers so that political as well as socio-economic
situations would be altered as they perceived them right. Regardless of this,
the EPRDF seems to be so resolute to spare no effort to bring on board all citizens,
including Ethiopians with non-Ethiopian passports in, the fight against the
grinding poverty that has prevailed across the country. To this effect, the
EPRDF government has stated that it would create an investor-friendly
environment by lowering lease price, easing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and
providing various rights and privileges to foreign citizens of Ethiopian origin
to the extent of lifting the legal restrictions imposed on them.
To
me, the most crucial point at stake is not narrating about who left Ethiopia
when and under what circumstances. It is not either the political difference
between Ethiopians living abroad and the EPRDF government; it is rather how to
alleviate the dire economic problems of Ethiopians that effectively make us
impotent not to realize our potential and give the impression to the whole
world that Ethiopia is poor and famine-prone. To change this picture, it is imperative
for Ethiopians in diaspora first to compromise with themselves, i.e, solving
whatever differences they have through dialogue, and then take the initiative
in working with the government for Ethiopia's prosperity.
Copyright, (MCC),
Ethiopianreporter.com
2002 Media and Communication Center (MCC)