The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a call this week for “dignified discourse and discussion” with U.S. government representatives after a heated argument over a speech given by Ambassador Ervin Massinga earlier this month.
The Ministry swiftly responded with a statement condemning the US Ambassador’s May 15, 2024, policy speech as “ill-advised” and blasting his “uninformed assertions”, following the delivery of the controversial address.
In his speech, Ambassador Massinga addressed pressing human rights concerns and the ongoing conflict in the country, urging an immediate end to the violence plaguing Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray. He also appealed to opposition groups to set aside their differences and engage in constructive negotiations with the government to find a peaceful resolution.
At a weekly press conference, Ministry Spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla (Amb.) delivered a second response to Ambassador Massinga’s policy address, highlighting the long-standing and robust ties between Addis Ababa and Washington before rebuking Massinga for offering “unsolicited and impromptu advice” on how to manage Ethiopia’s internal affairs.
Nebiyu had more to say about the fallout from the speech.
“As sovereign nations and equal partners, the relationship between the two countries must be derived from strategic affairs through a structured manner and not just incidental framing,” said the spokesperson.
On May 22, Ambassador Massinga and USAID Deputy Mission Director Tim Stein hosted a press roundtable to discuss the current state of bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United States, fostering an open dialogue on the partnership between the two nations.
“We don’t believe there is resistance from the diplomatic community,” said Nebiyu, “because they believe Addis is also their city and consider it a diplomatic hub for the African Union headquarters, [UN] Economic Commission for Africa, and 134 embassies. I haven’t seen any issues with an embassy saying the project is something that should be resisted.”
The Ministry has established a dedicated unit to facilitate communication and collaboration with embassies, providing explanations and assistance as needed. This unit also serves as a clarifying body, addressing any misconceptions or misunderstandings that may arise during project implementation, ensuring a smooth and successful partnership with the diplomatic community.
