The Armenian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and UNECA, H.E. Sahak Sargsyan, visited the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) on July 19, 2024.
H. E. Prof. Beyene Petros and H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan[ lR]
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan introduced himself, stating that it is a privilege to be the first Ambassador representing Armenia in Ethiopia. The purpose of his visit is to link the Armenian institutions with PSI for joint research and exchange opportunities. He shared that the Armenian Embassy in Ethiopia has been operational for the past four years.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan elaborated on the bilateral relations between Armenia and Ethiopia. Historically, the two countries have maintained strong diplomatic ties rooted in their shared Orthodox Christian heritage. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, both part of the Oriental Orthodox tradition, have engaged in the exchange of monks and priests for centuries.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan emphasized that the connections between Armenia and Ethiopia go back much further than just a few centuries, and their mutual ties have been reinforced through the shared Orthodox Christian faith throughout history. H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan further elaborated on the historical relationship between Armenia and Ethiopia. He explained that the Ottoman Turkish genocide against Armenian Christians during World War I led to a significant influx of Armenian refugees to Ethiopia, contributing to the growing population of refugees in the country.
Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan mentioned that during the genocide, a group of 40 Armenian orphans were adopted by Emperor Haile Selassie. In 1924, this group of 40 children, who had survived the 1915 genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks, had formed a brass band at the Armenian monastery in Jerusalem. They were then recruited and somewhat adopted by Ras Tafari Makonnen, the Regent of Ethiopia who later ascended to the throne as the Emperor.
H. E. Prof. Beyene Petros and H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan[ RL]
The Arba Lijoch were a group of 40 Armenian orphans who had escaped the atrocities committed during the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire. These children were subsequently adopted by Haile Selassie I, who was then the Crown Prince Ras Tafari. During his visit to the Armenian monastery in Jerusalem, Ras Tafari was deeply impressed by the children and obtained permission from the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem to adopt and bring them to Ethiopia. Ras Tafari then arranged for the children to receive musical instruction in Ethiopia.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan noted that Ras Tafari's diplomatic tour to Jerusalem took place within a context marked by the strong ties between the Armenian Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Both churches had established a monastic community presence in Jerusalem dating back to the thirteenth century, further strengthening the historical connections between the two countries.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan highlighted the similarities between Ethiopia and Armenia in terms of having their own unique scripts. He noted that the creator of the first Armenian alphabet was a monk, and he believes a similar pattern may have occurred in Ethiopia as well. The Ambassador emphasized that the churches in both countries have significantly contributed to the enduring legacy of their respective writing systems and civilizations.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan mentioned that an Armenian individual coming from Egypt provided modern weaponry and artillery to Emperor Menelik II during the famous Battle of Adwa. He stated that the relationship between Ethiopia and Armenia has a history spanning long years. H.E. Prof. Beyene also reminded the Ambassador of the crucial role Ethiopia played in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, including the training of Nelson Mandela in Ethiopia.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan said the the recent Azerbaijan’s actions to complete the ethnic cleansing of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Following the offensive and occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan in September 2023, the ethnic Armenian enclave was officially dissolved on January 1, 2024. The Ambassador expressed that the Armenian genocide had a significant impact on the heritage, castles, and historical sites of Armenia, and it generally altered the identity and even cleaned various churches.
H. E. Prof. Beyene Petros and H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan[ lR]
The Ambassador stated that the only Memorandum of Understanding Armenia currently has in Ethiopia is with Addis Ababa University, which was established around 3 years ago. He expressed the desire to work towards making this MOU more fruitful. The Ambassador indicated that he would like to explore opportunities for research exchange and joint research initiatives with the Policy Studies Institute.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan mentioned that the Embassy is now in discussions with the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University. This is due to the fact that there are many Ethiopian manuscripts in Armenia, which despite being catalogued, have contents that are not well known to the Armenians as they are written in Ge'ez. Therefore, the Ambassador expressed interest in collaborating on areas related to manuscript restoration, maintenance, and digitization.
Furthermore, H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan stated that Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa. He shared that there was a building in Addis Ababa that used to function as a school, but was nationalized when the Dergue regime came to power. After 1974, many Armenians in Ethiopia left the country, and now the Armenian community in Ethiopia numbers no more than 100 individuals. The Ambassador also mentioned that the Armenian community in Ethiopia had previously had a strong sports culture and facilities, but this is no longer as prominent as it once was.
H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan also mentioned that Vartkes Nalbandian, an Armenian, wrote a book titled "Armenians of Ethiopia: A Compendium - Gondar, Adua, Ankober, Harar, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa (1515-2020)". Furthermore, the Ambassador stated that the architectural design of the Taytu Hotel in Addis Ababa was carried out by an Armenian architect. H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan also mentioned that among the many celebrated and colorful Armenians who helped establish the Armenian community and shape the development of Addis Ababa was Minas Kherbekian (1887-1969).
Minas Kherbekian served as the chief architect of Addis Ababa. He was known for socializing with the elite and living life to the fullest. The Ambassador noted that Kherbekian was known for bulldozing many houses in Addis Ababa as part of the city's urban master plan. Indeed, Kherbekian played a pioneering role in the modernization of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The Ambassador stated that Kherbekian's own 3-story building, which he used to reside in, has now been demolished due to corridor development in the city. The Ambassador also said the Armenian community has made significant contributions to the modernization of Ethiopia over the years.
Finally, H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan extended an invitation to H.E. Prof. Beyene to attend an annual dialogue forum in Armenia scheduled for September. The Ambassador shared that this forum will be attended by many dignitaries, heads of state, and heads of think tanks around the world, including the current Ethiopian Foreign Minister and a former Ethiopian President. The Ambassador also mentioned that the Indian think tank ORF (Observer Research Foundation) will be participating in this forum. The key focus areas of the forum are: the new global order, connectivity, future energy, digital society, and future employability.
The Ambassador stated that the mission of the Embassy in Ethiopia is to create stronger relations and rewrite the shared history between the two countries. Both the Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan and Prof. Beyene emphasized the importance of imparting this information to the younger generation. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Emperor Haile Selassie's visionary decision to make Addis Ababa the seat of the former Organization of African Unity (OAU). Prof. Beyene also mentioned that before the construction of the new African Union building by the Chinese, Ethiopia, under Emperor Haile Selassie's leadership, had constructed the first OAU office on the same compound using its own budget.H.E. Prof. Beyene recalled how the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, had once despised Addis Ababa, describing it as a "ghetto" and an unfit location to host the African Union. However, after extensive debates in the parliament at the time, the Ethiopian government allocated lands to all the embassies located in Addis Ababa.
The Ambassador further appreciated the Ethiopian mothers and fathers for their efforts to prevent the country from being colonized by any aggressor. He also commended Ethiopia for its victory at the Battle of Adwa, which he said served as a source of inspiration for other black people around the world. Finally, H.E. Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan shared that he had earned his Master's degree in International Relations from a University in Southern California. H.E. Prof. Beyene also revealed that he had obtained both his Master's and Doctoral degrees in the United States. H.E. Prof. Beyene earned his BSc degree from the former Haile Selassie I University in 1973.In 1977, he earned his MSc degree from University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, and his PhD (specializing in Tropical Diseases and Public Health) from Tulane University, USA, in 1986, after completing his dissertation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, USA.
H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, further highlighted that the institute's core principle is to generate evidence-based research using empirical data. He mentioned that the Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned by various international organizations, such as the World Bank, FAO, UNDP, ECA, and others, to conduct research related to Ethiopia's progress in addressing development-related issues. H.E. Prof. Beyene explained that it is a merger of two former think tanks, and it now has two major research areas: social and economic. The deputy director generals lead each of these sectors. The researchers at PSI are highly qualified and well-trained, and the institute has more than 25 years of existence, with over 40 PhD-level researchers. The former two institutions were merged into one after the ascension of Prime Minister Abiy to power.
H.E. Prof. Beyene informed the Ambassador that PSI has a long-running project called "Young Lives," which is conducted in collaboration with Oxford University in the UK. The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada also commissions numerous research projects at PSI, which has established a strong track record in conducting high-quality research, leading these international organizations to provide funds based on its previous achievements.
H.E. Prof. Beyene Petros, informed Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan that the Ethiopian government had allocated a certain amount of funds for the basic salaries of PSI's staff. Additionally, Prof. Beyene expressed gratitude for the government's support, noting that the PSI building, which had appeared shabby two years ago, is now very attractive and elegant, with the majority of the renovation funds secured from the government. H.E. Prof. Beyene stated that the institute has established numerous linkages with other African think tanks, as well as institutions in the USA, Scandinavia, and other regions. He also revealed that the institute is currently ranked 9th among sub-Saharan African think tanks and is now working to achieve a top-3 ranking by 2030.
H.E. Prof. Beyene also stated that the Chinese government provides short-term training opportunities for PSI's researchers, and noted that the institute has a number of young researchers who have received their higher education in China. H.E. Prof. Beyene emphasized that PSI offers consultancy services, and for every research and consultancy project, the institute charges a 15% overhead cost. The revenue generated from these overhead charges is used to support the departments within the institute that may not have adequate funding. H.E. Prof. Beyene further explained that PSI's researchers have a vested interest beyond just serving their nation. They also actively publish their work in reputable international journals. He noted that there are researchers of varying ranks within the institute.
H.E. Prof. Beyene explained that PSI often conducts research that informs the continuation, amendment, or revision of existing Ethiopian policies, based on the recommendations generated. The institute works closely with various government line ministries in this regard. H.E. Prof. Beyene stated that PSI has the capacity to undertake nationwide research projects, such as the Agricultural Growth Program (AGP). He elaborated that the World Bank, instead of providing direct aid to farmers, has been giving them input-based support as a startup. PSI researchers are now evaluating the extent to which this input support has been beneficial for the farmers. Based on the research findings, PSI prepares reports that are shared with the Ministry of Agriculture, which then forwards them to the World Bank. This allows the Bank to decide whether to continue or halt the program.
H.E. Prof. Beyene also highlighted that the institute has trained thousands of data collectors in the research sample areas, giving it the capacity to undertake large-scale survey studies. He emphasized that PSI serves as both the government's arm and a mirror, reflecting both the positive and negative aspects of the government's policies and programs. H.E. Prof. Beyene mentioned that every study conducted by PSI generates policy recommendations, which are then continuously validated through workshops involving both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
H.E. Prof. Beyene stated that the Policy Studies Institute has been working on a wide range of research issues covering economic and social aspects, including areas such as agriculture, development, environment, trade, diversity management, poverty alleviation, federalism, governance, and the constitution. He emphasized that the institute's motto is "let the data speak the truth, so that informed decisions can be achieved." To this end, Prof. Beyene assured that the research findings of PSI are independent and not influenced by any external factors. Prof. Beyene also mentioned that PSI researchers are incentivized, as they work tirelessly to conduct research and meet deadlines.
H.E. Prof. Beyene told the Ambassador that he had recently visited Russia. The Ambassador also stated that he speaks the Russian language - russkiy yaz'ik - and added that this language is a valuable asset and that Russia has a rich literary tradition. The Ambassador also noted that the current generation in Armenia is more inclined to learn English, although both Russian and English are taught in public schools in Armenia.
Ambassador Sahak Sargsyan said recently he visited the Defense University in Bishoftu and appreciated the work being carried out there. He also shared that his uncle, who was an engineer, now passed away had come to Ethiopia in the 1980s and worked in the country for three years. In a side discussion, Professor Beyene, similar to the Ambassador's Uncle, spoke in a somber mood about his brother, the legendary Ethiopian fighter pilot Colonel Bezabih Petros. Colonel Bezabih had served as an Ethiopian fighter pilot during the Somali war and the Ethio-Eritrea war. Colonel Bezabih Petros, the celebrated Ethiopian fighter pilot, had been parachuted down and captured, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then. This tragic episode has left a lasting impact on Ethiopians. H.E. Prof. Beyene noted that many Armenians in Ethiopia were also christened by the royal family of Emperor Haile Selassie. He also recalled a hotel owned by an Armenian lady called the Etige Menen Hotel, located in the city of Adama, from the old days.
In conclusion, the visit by the Armenian Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the African Union and UNECA was a significant event that highlighted the deep historical ties and cultural connections between Ethiopia and Armenia.