Mr. Abdi Dolal Mohammed, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Yemen: “We have to strive aggressively to foster democratic unity within our respective countries, and get united regionally” [Archives:2002/37/Interview]

The Yemeni-Ethiopian relationship has witnessed a considerable improvements particularly during the recent years. This can be clearly seen through the joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of trade and investment aspects. Visits have been exchanged between the two countries in the pursuance of deepening the relations and consultations towards enhancing the stability, peace and safety in the region.
Logically enough, that long-standing relation has enabled the two countries to mix culturally, socially and above all to have blood relations through intermarriages
Yaser al-Mayyasi of the Yemen Times has met up with, Mr. Abdi Dolal Mohammed, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia of Yemen.
Q: Would you give us a brief account on yourself?
A: Well, to put it briefly, I was born in the Eastern part of Ethiopia, specifically, in one of the oldest cities of the country called Harar.
It is as old as Sana’a, mainly known as Islamic center not only of the country but also of the while region of East Africa.
To come back to myself, I completed my Qoranic, Elementary and Secondary Schools in that very city of Harar. Later on I joined the Addis Ababa University, where ? by, I specialized in English, as a major subject and in Psychology and Sociology as minor subjects.
I graduated twenty years ago. Since then, I have passed through various jobs. That is to say, I have served as a teacher, Educational Journalist, Head of Regional Education Bureau and finally as a Member of Parliament for a couple of years. Lastly, there I am ? chosen to be a diplomat. Indeed, all I performed is with the consent of the Almighty Allah (S.W).
Q: How do you assess the bilateral Yemeni-Ethiopian relationship?
A: Before I go to the formal bilateral relation of the two countries. I would like to cite some basic and unique relationship of the two countries. That is to say, they are the oldest nations in this Region, they are the nearest neighbors to each other and have gone through all ups and downs together and have been having their own relationship in various ways and means in their own way since time in memorial.
Logically enough, that long-standing relation has enabled them to mix culturally, socially and above all to have blood relations through intermarriages.
Thus, when we talk of the current bilateral relation of the two, those monumental past relations have to be considered.
Therefore, being based and built on that hard core, I can say, the bilateral relation of our two countries is very promising in every aspect at the moment.
Q: What is the volume of the trade balance between the two countries?
A: In fact, as to the balance, the gap is not that much. What matters and very important is the volume which is very small my opinion, given the current good opportunities, here and there, the volume of the trade between the two countries has to be increased. I think, both of us have to work aggressively on it here after.
Q: Yemen and Ethiopia are both located on the Red Sea, in your point of view, how could the two countries play a vital role to stabilize the region?
A: Yes! As you mentioned, Yemen and Ethiopia are two naturally gifted and located at one of the commercially strategic regions in the world i.e. on the either sides of the Red Sea. It is an area that joins the three major continents ? Africa, Asia and Europe. Ever since the cradle of human society, people from all over the world used to come here for various transactions. Thus, these factors enabled the two to be the oldest and culturally rich countries that fostered ancient civilizations.
With that glorious past and their unchangeable strategic position at their disposal, they have a considerable potential capability to build the vitality and stability of the region at the moment.
To that end, they have to know that they are the only two countries that have largest number of population and enormous untapped natural resources around this region. With that at hand, they have to make every effort to strengthen their bilateral relations in every aspect and integrate their economy on mutual trust and interest.
Secondly, relentless endeavors must be made by both of them to democratize their system of government and liberalize their economy as much as possible so that the foreign investor would easily be attracted.
In my opinion, if this is achieved, their economic muscle would be strengthened and would be competent in all global market so also their political saying would be credited. Thus, other small countries around them would be drawn towards them at the end of the day, which would greatly facilitates the formation of the overall regional stability and prosperity.
Q: How do you assess the Ethiopian economy?
A: As you might have known, Ethiopia had been ruled by the most backward feudal monarchs and its subsequent military junta through out its long existence until 1991. During those days, leave alone to exercise it but to talk of democracy was completely forbidden. Everything was owned by the ruling class. It is now only 10 years, since those repressive regimes were replaced once and for all by the current Democratic System. By the advent of this system, within this short period of time, the Ethiopian people began to rule themselves by the federated parliamentary system. Today, democratization of both politics and economy in their various respects are being done aggressively, both by the government and by full participation of the citizens without exception.
Of all things, a new liberal and market oriented economic policy has already been adapted and become operational. Alongside this, numerous substantial reforms and measures have been taken in order to create an economic climate that favors investment.
So, in view of these fundamental and radical changes, some remarkable outcomes have already achieved, one can say, the Ethiopian economy, currently is on the proper channel and promising.
Q: What is the Ethiopian attitude towards the current developments in the Middle East?
A: As it is clearly indicated and written in her foreign policy and National constitution, Ethiopia is committed to oppose all injustice manifested in any form. And it has a firm belief that all conflicting issues that arise between nations and state could and should be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the concerned bodies. In view of this, our total attitude and conviction on the current developments in the middle east could not be otherwise. That is to say, all the current burning issues of this region must be solved through peaceful dialogue on the round table in accordance to the conventional International Laws.
Q: Any last comment?
A: As a final comment, I would like to re-iterate only one thing. In order to exist, we have to strive aggressively to foster democratic unity within our respective countries, and get united regionally so that we could be able to contribute toward the democratic unity of the world.
To that end, Ethiopia and Yemen should be one of the first groups to start this noble track in this region

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