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Ethiopia – Does the EU consent to Pekka Haavisto’s inflammatory statement?

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Ethiopians have been following the stand of the EU vis- à-vis the situation in their country over the last several months with great dismay. While the continued engagement of the EU with the democratic process in general and situation in Tigray region of Ethiopia in particular was largely appreciated, there is puzzlement over its failure to engage with the Ethiopian government concerning the transition process or in dealing with the deteriorating security situation, writes Ethiopian Diaspora Association in Belgium & Luxembourg Coordinator Zerihun Assefa.

Instead, the EU is employing its economic and political might in order to impose its unfair demands on the people and the government of Ethiopia. The unfriendly attitude that the EU in general and the European External Action Service in particular are showing towards Ethiopia are not limited to the conflict in Tigray region.

Support for democracy worldwide is consistent with EU’s fundamental principles and in its vital interests. However, the EU failed to live up to these principles and actively undermined its own commitment to supporting democratic exercise in Ethiopia by not sending an election observation mission. The reasons for the cancellation of deployment of election observations mission were dubious at best but are inconsistent with EU’s Code of Conduct for EU Election Observers (2016) and with international principles affirmed therein.

In addition, since the onset of conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia, the EU has been consistently undermining the efforts of the federal government to restore law and order in the region. Many Ethiopians in the diaspora and at home increasingly see evidence that the EU, in an unholy alliance with ethno-nationalist elements, is sympathising with TPLF leaders who chose violence over dialogue in order resolve political disputes.

This position has perplexed many given the fact that the EU is aware of the atrocities committed by TPLF while it was in control of the Ethiopian government for over quarter of a century. These are well documented in multiple reports by human rights organizations as well as in its own findings. For more than 27 years, the TPLF dominated and controlled every walk of life in every corner of Ethiopia. Human right abuses were rampant, independent media and journalists were almost non-existent and arrest and intimidation of opposition politicians was commonplace.

The current violent actions of TPLF were driven by its desire to seize back the political power it lost when the people of Ethiopia rejected its brutal dictatorship three years ago. Even at this stage in the conflict, while the government took the bold step of declaring a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire, remnants of TPLF have no intention of laying down their arms and ceasing hostilities. In fact, they seem to have been emboldened in part by the actions and pronouncements coming from various institutions of the EU. These include the actions of some members of the European Parliament who have clearly demonstrated their partisan support for the TPLF rather than the pursuit of the truth of the matter regarding the suffering people of the region. These actions, if not reversed in time, are likely to worsen the situation on the ground for everyone involved, not least the civilian population.

The most troubling development from the EU corner came in the form of the extraordinary statements that Pekka Haavisto (pictured), Finnish foreign minister and representative of EU’s Higher Representative, made at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development committees on 15 June 2021. Of the many mischaracterizations of events and facts on the ground, Ethiopians were particularly struck by the statement that the government of Ethiopia plans to “wipe out the Tigrayans for 100 years”. If true, this is extremely dangerous and the whole world should be alarmed by it. As such, the minister has the obligation to be more specific and substantiate his claims.. Such information should be disclosed to and discussed with relevant authorities rather than for public consumption several months after he became aware of the alleged plan.

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Why he chose to disclose such an egregious allegation at this particular moment can only be speculated but the claim is construed as planting an enduring animosity and suspicion or inter-ethnic violence among the various communities in Ethiopia. Ethiopian government has characterized these remarks as “irresponsible and undiplomatic”. These kinds of untoward statements are not helpful and not so tacit supports for the fugitive leaders of the TPLF.

More importantly, almost three weeks after Haavisto made his inflammatory remarks, the EU did not comment on the serious allegation. Is it possible that it shares the claim of its special envoy? The EU making its position public would determine whether future engagements with Ethiopia could be based on neutrality, trust and responsibility, considering the gravity of the allegation.

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EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter.

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