By Scott Morgan
There was a glimmer of hope for the Ethiopian Opposition last week. The British have asked for the Government of Ethiopia to allow for an independent investigation into Human Rights Abuses. Now the ultimate player in world politics was calling. A delegation had arrived from the United States. The two main opposition parties made their concerns known and duly waited for the response. What was the reply? Don’t expect any changes to be facilitated by Washington. However we will talk with the government to improve conditions.
One must ask if this policy contradicts the goals laid out by President Bush in his second inaugural address in January 2005. In the address the President identified the spread of Democracy worldwide as a goal of his during his term that expires in 2009. This goal has had marginal success in the Middle East and in Africa recent elections in Liberia can be construed as a success. This goal is an interesting concept. In the Past the US has focused its foreign relations based more on stability than on Democracy.
This policy is a relic of the Cold War. The return of this policy could indicate that the US is trying to check the influence of a couple of actors trying to raise their sphere of influence in Africa. During the Cold War the US sought to minimize the influence of the Soviet Union. This time it appears that Washington seeks to limit the roles of an emerging China and the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism.
Members of the Opposition state that several months ago a political dialogue between Government and the Opposition ended. The climate of mistrust grew after the Parliamentary elections that were held last year. After there were allegations of fraud massive demonstrations broke out. Dozens of people lost their lives in the street battles. Several opposition members of Parliament have refused to take their seats in protest of the elections and the violence. Some of these people now face treason charges for refusing to take their duly elected seats. At this juncture both parties are trying to determine a dialogue so that negotiations can resume and end the impasse.
The United States has stated that it has an interest in promoting Democracy in Ethiopia. Which is a noble gesture in itself but hard to properly define. The American Delegation did promise to raise the concerns of the Opposition when it met with members of the Government. This could be seen as Washington once again doing just enough to appear that it is concerned with a crisis. Before the meeting the US Defense Department did withhold a shipment of HUMVEES to Addis Ababa to highlight its concerns over the current political detainees. But when asked to comment on the Outcome of the meeting both the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry and the US Embassy both declined comment. So was anyone truly surprised by this?
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The author comments on US Foreign Policy and Human Rights in Africa. He has posted items regarding these subjects on www.frontpageafrica.com, www.canadafreepress.com and other sites including www.rpec.org
He can be contacted at [email protected]