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WASHINGTON –
VOA – Ethiopians in Washington are expected to come in large numbers on Thursday to greet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who makes his first visit to the United States after instituting a series of transformative reforms in his country.
Upon arrival in Washington, Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Workneh Gebeyehu said the delegation's trip was historic. "This is the very first [an] Ethiopian prime minister's visit to visit the Ethiopian diaspora … we are so excited," Workneh told a VOA Amharic reporter at Dulles International Airport.
Earlier this year, Ethiopia protested against a government that seemed insensitive and entrenched.
In less than four months in power, Abiy has led a dramatic turnaround. Radical reforms have cracked down on dissent, strengthened civil liberties and begun to heal the wounds of decades of ethnic tension and marginalization.
Abiy was elected by the executive council of the ruling coalition after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn. Since taking office, Abiy has focused on improving human rights, reducing corruption and introducing economic and political reforms that could bring about Ethiopia towards a more democratic society.
Encouraging the Diaspora to Return Home and Accompanying the Changes Underway
"Brain Drain"
For a country that sees some of its best doctors, academics, and engineers leave for better opportunities in Europe The United States, a return of the diasporas could affect if the reforms of Ethiopia stick.
NuNu Wako is a media spokesman for the Prime Minister's visit to Washington, organized by the Ethiopian Embbady
to bridge the gap "between the Ethiopian government and the communities of the US diaspora. a new way for 27 years, since the Ethiopian government overthrew the communis The regime that preceded it.
In Washington, Abiy plans to meet with representatives of universities, banks, medicine, and medicine. Other industries with prominent Ethiopians He hopes some will return home
"It is really important that these powerful brains be sent back to Ethiopia and that they contribute to the sustainable development of the country." 39, Ethiopia, "said Wako
his first 100 days in power, Abiy introduced symbolic and substantive changes intended to reshape Ethiopia and the wider region.
It has closed prisons, released hundreds of political prisoners and admitted that the government tortured its citizens. also unleashed opposition media that had been banned and taken steps to privatize key industries.
In June, Abiy said that Ethiopia would abide by the terms of an international decision and surrender its land to its neighbor Eritrea. later and the end of nearly two decades of cold war between countries.
Abiy's push to open the Ethiopian political system has reached a "critical turning point" earlier this week, Wako said, when he called for multiparty democracy.
Ethiopian politics is based on ethnic federalism. Its regions and the political parties that accompany it are largely defined according to ethnic criteria. Four parties form the ruling coalition, the Revolutionary Democratic Front of the Ethiopian People, and they have a virtual monopoly over political power.
But Ethiopia has more than 80 ethnic groups, and the current system has led to the consolidation of power.
Moving away from ethnic federalism could lead to more inclusive policies that benefit all of society, says Wako.
"I think this will be a tangible and concrete step for Ethiopia, peacefully, bringing everyone together and leading to Ethiopia that we knew and for which our fathers fought." [19659003] Ethiopian reforms could lead to closer ties with the United States
Michael Raynor, US ambbadador to Ethiopia at the Amharic Service of VOA and said that the United States is eager to expand its relations longstanding with Ethiopia in light of "the extraordinary range of initiatives" introduced by Abiy.
"I think with the business climate reforms that the first Minister and government plan, this will create wonderful opportunities for US trade engagement, "said Mr. Raynor.
Unresolved Challenges
Everyone n & # 39 is not excited about Ab's trip iy abroad
Mesfin Woldemariam is a retired professor and founder of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council. He told the Ethiopian LTV channel that Abiy should tackle pressing national concerns before looking outward. "19659003" While the fire is burning in the country from four different directions, the Prime Minister goes to a different country. I do not know what he's going to find or what he's looking for there, "Mesfin said.
Engaging with the diaspora might not bring the benefits that it's worth. Abi hopes to reap, he added, until the country becomes more stable.
"The diaspora can come back with its own will, and we should not appease them – especially when things have not happened. not yet firmed in Ethiopia, "says Mesfin.
Among the problems that Abiy faces at home is the displacement of nearly a million people in the southern areas of Gedeo and West Guji because of the violence
The humanitarian crisis has intensified since Abiy took office in April and hundreds of thousands of people are in need of emergency badistance.
] Multicity visit
In the US, Ethiopians are the second largest group of African immigrants, behind the Nigerian
In 2014, a quarter of a million first- and second-generation Ethiopians lived in America, according to a report compiled by the Migration Policy Institute. Most Ethiopian immigrants arrived in the United States in the last two decades
After meeting with prominent business leaders, religious leaders, and political groups in Washington, Abiy will visit diaspora communities in Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
Abate contributed to this story.
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