Last week was a very busy week. There was a horrific attack on a bus in Gambella which left at least 14 dead. We heard rumours of His Excellency President Girma being ill. Ethiopian defence forces launched an attack on targets inside Eritrea. I called on several Ethiopian Government Ministers. And we prepared for a visit this week by the senior Foreign Office official who overseas all British human rights and democracy work across the world.
Amongst all this, I had meetings with three of the larger Ethiopian opposition parties: The Ethiopian Democratic Party; the All Ethiopian Unity Party; and the MEDREK/Forum collation of six parties. It is important for me to meet the leaders of the opposition parties in Ethiopia so that I can understand Ethiopian politics more fully, and ensure HMG policy towards Ethiopia is correctly calibrated. We discussed a wide range of subjects, including their policy alternatives, their political histories and their view of the democratic environment in Ethiopia. Discussions were broad ranging. I was mostly in listening mode, but I made clear the UK government’s commitment to human rights and democracy in Ethiopia.
Politics is a hot topic in every country, and often causes real emotion. As a British diplomat, I am totally neutral in my views on Ethiopia’s internal politics, assuming these are carried out in line with international norms and standards. But as this country develops – as I can see it doing every day – wider political choice will be a crucial element of Ethiopia’s long term development. At some stage, development generally raises demands and expectations for democratic rights. Liberal institutions – including greater political choice – have proved the most effective at managing these demands and expectations in the long term. In every society, citizens need to feel that they can choose how their country is run and be able to contribute to the policy environment. The UK is a major donor to Ethiopia. And Ethiopia is the largest recipient of UK aid in the world. British taxpayers who are aware of our strong developmental partnership with Ethiopia, want to help ensure that systems of governance are strengthened here, and that we are laying the foundations for long term stability in the country.
No matter how busy we get, understanding Ethiopia’s politics and supporting the growth of democratic governance in this country is a key objective of the British Government.
helo ladies and gentlemen.i am happy with british counsil activities in ethiopia,culture,language,democracy.but i wants to show you the aria, you have focus around justice sector.tha is becuase i am lawyer in ethiopia i meet somany defiects in justice with poor and rich .please say me something with my email.