How Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Has Become An Int’l. Pariah

J. PETER PHAM, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: It really is shocking. But, in a way, it’s not surprising. We have seen it earlier reports, not only from CNN, but from NGOs, from civil society of the toll that this conflict has taken, the ordinary men, women and children who are suffering, the unconscionable number of people who are in famine or on the verge of famine. And so it’s horrific, but it’s — I have to acknowledge it’s not surprising it. This is — unfortunately, in the 21st century, we still have total war going on.

BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And the frustration continues, as we have the U.N. council meeting right now just to try to delegate and figure out what to do in response to these types of reports. The U.S. has now on the heels of some of these reports, in particular from Nima, said that they will move forward perhaps with additional sanctions. That was reported from the Biden administration last month. But let me get your response. What should be done vis-a-vis this lucrative trade deal that benefits the Ethiopian Airlines, if in fact, as Nima’s reporting alludes to, has been on the receiving end and conducting some illegal actions?

PHAM: Well, certainly, Ethiopia’s economy has benefited over the years from its inclusion in the concessionary trade that the U.S. has allowed to many African countries who qualify for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA. But those planes are purchased often with export credits, with other guarantees that don’t need to await a review. So I think another step one could look at — and certainly Boeing might not like this, but certainly look at the financing for purchases that — or orders that are in the pipeline for Ethiopian Airlines, if that’s what these planes are being used for. That’s certainly, I think, fair game and should be looked at, and I hope the administration does look at it.

GOLODRYGA: As we saw in that report, Ethiopian Airlines is a member of the prestigious Star Alliance. And the U.S. trade representative, Katherine Tai, said in August that ongoing violations could affect Ethiopia’s future eligibility with this trade agreement. Do you think this just adds to the pressure of her actually acting on that?

PHAM: It certainly adds to the pressure. Last month, the Biden administration issued an executive order which creates the legal framework for sanctions upon any party, whether it be the Ethiopian government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the TPLF. That’s the group that’s running Tigray, the Eritreans or irregular militia from other parts of Ethiopia.