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The 6th
Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day of Ethiopia/Constitution Day/ was
colorfully marked at the auditorium of the Chancery of the Ethiopian Embassy
in Washington, D.C. to-day. The celebration was attended by hundreds of
Diaspora Ethiopians, Community Representatives and families.
Ambassador Girma Birru, Ambassador Extra-ordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
FDRE to the US reminisced the significance of the occasion which marked the
endorsement of the constitution that guaranteed and protected the rights of
the various nations, and nationalities by declaring their equality and fair
and just representation in the political milieu, as enshrined in the noble
document.
Ambassador Girma further elucidated the importance of the Nations,
Nationalities/ Constitution Day/ as a land mark event, which enabled the
creation of an auspicious climate for the realization of the Suzerainty and
the sovereign and ultimate power of the people who were accorded due
recognition for the first time in the country’s polity which spawned for
millennia on end.
The Ethiopian Ambassador to the US in his remark enumerated the salient
features that define the true character of the Ethiopian Constitution by
amply referring to the democratic process undertaken in writing the document
and the ways and means of its final ratification as telling elements of its
democratic nature.
The Ambassador also cited the enabling conducive environment that has
created the continued unity among the different nations, nationalities and
peoples of Ethiopia who for the first time in their history have enjoyed the
right for a fair play, equal representation and are accorded
constitutionally based legal recognition.
Ethiopia which has registered an impressive economic growth sustainably was
only able to do so as a result of the enabling condition that has sprouted
emanating from the constitution.
In this relation he referenced quite amply the 4% economic growth during the
era of the monarchy and a mere average growth of slightly over 1% in the
entire reign of the military junta.
On the realm of political rights, Ambassador Girma noted that gone are the
days when disgruntled elements and groups had to resort to unlawful acts or
violence in quest of remedy for their demands, by reiterating that the
present Ethiopian Constitution is embedded with avenues of legal and
peaceful address and resolution of any thorny issues.
In his closing statement Ambassador Girma made a clarion call on the
Diaspora Ethiopians to positively engage themselves in the overall Growth
and Transformation leap that Ethiopians of all walks of life have anchored
themselves on, by lending their cherished knowledge, expertise, networking
and revenue capacities in a manner that boosts the national drive forward
and also calibrating themselves to be active beneficiaries from the
enterprise.
He also underlined that they should make good of the propitious environment
they currently find themselves in, by making all effort at positively
building the image of the nation.
Ambassador Mulie Tarekegn , Deputy Head of Mission at the Ethiopian Embassy
and Chief of Diaspora Affairs on his part made a power-point presentation
pertaining to the Draft Diaspora Policy. The main points in the new Draft
policy were highlighted during the briefing session.
According to the briefings offered by Ambassador Mulie, the New Diaspora
Policy is imbued with propitious conditions that enhance Diaspora
participation in a meaningful manner by providing solid opportunities in
investment, trade, education, health services and other areas of interest.
In the course of the briefing, the Deputy Head of Mission said that the
Policy is enriched with instruments that facilitate pertinent and conducive
environment that encourages members of the Diaspora communities to directly
partake in all levels of decision making through mechanisms that enhance
their participation.
Councils to be established by the Diaspora will enable them to put their
imprint on decisions that impact their participation and interest, he added.
Special focus of the Policy he stated, were the steps taken to bring the
knowledge, experience, skill and financial resources of the Diaspora to the
country in an organized fashion that could entail dual benefits to the
nation and at the same time empower the Diaspora communities.
In the course of the briefing session members of the Diaspora communities
raised pertinent questions that enriched the discourse and were given
appropriate responses from the podium. At last before the congregation sang
the Ethiopian national Anthem in unison, community members of the Ethiopian
Diaspora on their part made a solemn gesture to contribute their share to
the nation-wide momentum that has ushered in to nip poverty in the bud.
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