Yemen (Yemen Times) – The rich but under-explored history between Yemen and Ethiopia dates back to ancient times. Cultural relations between two countries can be traced back to the birth of the Aksum Kingdom in Ethiopia as an extension of the Sabaean and Himiarite Kingdoms in Yemen. Modern political relations date back to the 1930s when the first bilateral agreement was signed, paving the way for diplomatic ties between both countries.

Currently, about 20,000 Yemenis live and work in Ethiopia. Similarly, an estimated 275,000 Ethiopians are officially registered as living in Yemen, where they work as technicians, drivers, technical experts, businessmen in both the governmental and private sectors. Geographical proximity and exchange migration have led to social, cultural, and economic similarities between the two countries.

Recently, Addis Ababa hosted the 12th African Union Summit, which twenty-two states attended. Dr. Tawfik Abdullah, Ethiopian Ambassador to Yemen, spoke to Khaled Al-Hilaly about bilateral and regional issues.

What kind of activities do Yemenis carry out in Ethiopia? What facilities does the Ethiopian government offer them?

To begin with, the relationship between Yemen and Ethiopia is deep rooted and goes beyond thousands and thousands of years. There was a very large Yemeni community living throughout Ethiopia engaged in different trade and business. Their children attended the Ethiopian schools as native citizens. Currently there are less numbers of Yemenis who engaged in different sectors of investment. The Yemenis enjoy living and working in Ethiopia. There is a Yemeni Community School that was established over fourty years ago and is still active. Recently the Ethiopian government allotted a big piece of land for the expansion of this school in Addis Ababa.

What about Ethiopians in Yemen?

There are quite a large number of Ethiopians in Yemen and many are engaged in different sectors. There are also few number of students studying in different universities and colleges.

Why do many of the Ethiopians that come to Yemen have to be smuggled and not come via official means?

Many Ethiopians coming to Yemen are victims of “human trafficking” destined to the Gulf States in search of better economic benefits. Human trafficking is a lucrative business and the dealers convince and brainwash economically impoverished citizens and dwellers for gorgeous economic gains. They smuggle them through the sea, with catastrophic tragedies at times, and never reach their destination.

Many come to claim political asylum, saying that they are escaping insecurity or other political reasons. What do you say?

Ethiopia is a federal state with over eighty nations and nationalities enjoying a wide range of democracy and self-administration. However diversified Ethiopia is, with its various nation and nationalities, it is very much united as never before. There is no room for suppression and oppression in Ethiopia. It will not be astonishing or come a surprise if some of those claiming political asylum are using this as a pretext to gain privileges and special treatment; otherwise their claims and allegations cannot be substantiated.

What are examples of how the African Union is succesfully reducing conflicts in the African continent?

The African Union (AU) has regional organizations such as The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and The Southern African Development Community (SADC) among others, with its own summits in which the organizations resolve conflicts and disputes. The AU covers issues relating to peace and the Security Council also engages in resolving disputes and conflicts. Thus all the approaches of the AU and other regional organizations engage in maintaining peaceful co-existence between and among African countries, and resolve disputes and conflicts should they occur.

Would you highlight the Somalia conflict? What are you expecting from Sheikh Ahmed, the new Somali President?

Somalia’s transitional government was established in Kenya in 2004 under the auspices of the AU and the UN. There was commitment from the international community and other countries to support the weak transitional government in establishing and structuring itself. However, few countries lived up to their commitment and the transitional government was brought back to Somalia from Kenya after two years in exile there. Initially the Transitional Government was based in Juhar and later in Baidowa. Very few countries engaged in providing crucially needed assistance to the Transitional Government, which helped the War Lords and Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to gain the upper hand. The Transitional Government was at the verge of collapse when they asked for assistance from the Ethiopian Government. The ICU had seized and controlled Mogadishu and repeatedly claimed war “Jihad” on Ethiopia and also engaged in terrorist activities in Ethiopia. The call for assistance from the Transitional Government of Somalia and the immediate threat of war on Ethiopia by the ICU was the reason for Ethiopia to get involved in Somalia. The Ethiopian forces swept away the ICU and brought temporary peace and security in Somalia while dealing a big blow to the ICU.

The Transitional Government should have built upon the temporary peace and security achieved by the Ethiopian force. Unfortunately, the leaders of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia were busy in a power struggle among themselves and were after individual benefits that let down the prevailing peace and security. It should be noted here that it is the Somalis themselves that could bring, maintain, and sustain peace and stability in Somalia. The AU, IGAD, etc. thus can only have a supporting role. Ethiopia has committed itself and its resources to achieve these goals; it has trained tens of thousands of police forces and civil servants. The international communities, the UN, the EU, Arab League and the AU, with the exception of a few countries, were very reluctant to help in bringing and maintaining peace in Somalia.

Somalia was abandoned and little attention was given. Ethiopia bears the burden mostly alone and it cannot and must not bear all the burdens by itself. That is why we pulled out of Somalia. We had achieved our objectives; the Somalia issue is not Ethiopia’s issue only. The Djibouti agreement led to the formation of expanding the parliament and participation of opposition parties and groups, and even individuals. It laid the base for establishing a broad-based government of unity in the interest of building Somalia again. That is how President Sheikh Sherif was elected. It is upon all countries and especially organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League and the AU to support the current broad based government to stand on its own two feet.

How has the global financial crisis affected Africa, specifically Ethiopia?

It is sure that the global financial crisis has a negative effect on developing countries, including Ethiopia. But what affects us the most is the global economic crisis. First, the price of many commodities, raw materials, and the agricultural products has fallen so there is less revenue from exports. Secondly, remittance income from natives in foreign countries has decreased as there are huge lay-offs of employees. And thirdly, financial aid and loans for developing countries has decreased. These are the main negative effects of the current global economical crisis affecting the developing countries.

Tell me about the Sana’a Forum summit that recently took place in Khartoum.

At the end of 2008 the Sana’a Forum for cooperation held its summit in Khartoum, Sudan. It should be recalled that the Forum was established in Yemen in 2002 and included countries of the South Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. The Forum has achieved tangible results in the political, economical, social, and cultural fields. The Summit in Khartoum appreciated the achievements and pledged for better achievements especially in the economic trade and investment sectors.

Recently, nine countries signed an agreement in Djibouti to cooperate in fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Do you expect that this agreement will help reduce piracy?

The previous Djibouti agreement and the late “Regional Maritime Security Conference” held in Sana’a will help in minimizing the piracy and will allow safer passage of ships through this very important see trade route. However, the root cause of the piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is the political, social, and economical problems in Somalia. The ultimate solution and remedy for the piracy is solving the problem in Somalia. The regional countries, the international community, the AU, the EU, the Arab League, and the UN should coordinate their efforts to bring a stable functional government in Somalia. The Somalis should sort out and solve their problems; they are the only ones who could bring peace and stability in Somalia. The others can only assist and extend help, but it is only the Somalis that can and should bring about this change. Having said this, I want to stress the fact that piracy should be dealt with and there should be free and safe passage for ships, but we should not be obsessed with this and drift into a corner; we have to be engaged in resolving the current chaos in Somalia.

Does the embassy support the Yemeni-Ethiopian friendship association?

The Yemeni-Ethiopian Friendship Association was established a long time ago. It includes members from Yemenis of Ethiopian origins and those Yemenis who studied or grew up in Ethiopia. The Association still exists and activating it will be one of our missions in the near future.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Given this opportunity, I would like to inform to all that Ethiopia has the largest livestock capabilities in Africa. Fishery and forestry resources are also significant. Considerable opportunities exist for new private investment in the production and processing of agricultural products. In addition, there are good prospects for producing cotton and investment opportunities are potentially attractive for modern commercial livestock breeding, the production and processing of meat, milk, and eggs. Investment opportunities of significant potential are also available in other areas as well.

With some 3.3 million beehives, Ethiopia is the leading honey and beeswax producing and exporting nation in Africa. This offers excellent prospects for private investment in apiculture.

Major manufacturing opportunities offering attractive potential benefits to prospective investors exist in the textile and garment, food and beverages, leather and electronic, building materials and non-metallic mineral, and metallic industrial sub-sectors as well.

Given its unique cultural heritage, magnificent scenery, pleasant climate, rich flora and fauna, important archaeological sites, friendly and hospitable people, and the recent growth in the inflow of tourists, Ethiopia’s potential puts it among the leading tourist destination in Africa. There are, therefore, great opportunities for private investment in hotels, lodges and international restaurants.