DSpace Collection: Thesis - International Relations

THE MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF SECURITY IN THE HORN OF

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:04:18 GMT

Title: THE MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF SECURITY IN THE HORN OF

Authors: TESHOME, CHALA

Abstract: This study examines the maritime dimensions of security in the Horn of Africa in relation to recent rise of piracy in the Somalian coast. Nowadays it is obvious that maritime transport is the core element of world economy and each disturbance in the world shipping can create serious problems for world economy because 85% of world trade relies on maritime transport, especially now when the world crises appeared. Currently Somali piracy forms maritime threats and vulnerabilities into the African security landscape. Since the collapse of the Somali state in the early 1990s, international community have expressed their concern toward the rise of piracy off the Somali coast and the waterways of the Gulf of Aden. Particularly, the 2008 years marked an exceptional increase in pirate attacks in Somali waters and received widespread media attention. The attacks did not only increase in number but also became more sophisticated in materials. The increase in pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa is directly linked to continuing insecurity and the absence of the rule of law in war torn Somalia, while additional conditions aggravate the problem. The absence of a functioning government in Somalia remains the single greatest challenge to regional security and provides freedom of action for those engaged in piracy along the Somali coast. Some observers also have alleged that the absence of coastal security authorities in Somalia has allowed illegal international fishing and waste dumping occur in Somali waters, which in turn has undermined the economic prospects of some Somalis and providing economic or political motivation to some groups engaged in piracy. The anti-piracy efforts of the global community have not yet resulted in significant successes as the world focusing on fighting the symptoms of piracy. Nevertheless, some small positive developments are apparent, mainly in regard to strengthening a coordinated and uniform approach among them.

EASTERN NILE BASIN: THE NEXUS BETWEEN WATER SHARING

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:33:08 GMT

Title: EASTERN NILE BASIN: THE NEXUS BETWEEN WATER SHARING

Authors: ZERIHUN, ABEBE YIGZAW

Abstract: The main objective of this thesis is analyzing the nexus between water sharing and benefit sharing approaches in the context of Eastern Nile Basin. While water sharing as an approach is associated with the volumetric allocation of water, benefit sharing is seen as an alternative approach which is based on the sharing of benefits from the uses and non-uses of water. In (Eastern) Nile Basin both approaches has been go parallel. The water sharing approach has to do with the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA); which is meant an agreement that turndown the unfair status quo which bases itself in old bilateral or colonial agreements, and installed a system based on the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization. The recently popularized benefit sharing approach in Eastern Nile Basin has also adopted through the different projects prepared by Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), which is a technical wing of the Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP). The different positions, policies and strategies adopted by the Eastern Nile Basin states (Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan), however, are at odds and contradicting. While Ethiopia needs to change the unfair status quo and then to manage the Nile water together on equal footing, Egypt and Sudan wants to continue with the status quo by keeping the water they divided between themselves intact. Hence, it should be clear that the benefit sharing approach to be fruitful necessitates some conditions such as peaceful hydropolitical relations between riparians, generally agreed agreement on the water itself, trust and confidence etc which is lacking in the Eastern Nile Basin. Therefore, without meeting such conditions, any attempt at joint projects is short term solution and does not address the fundamental problems. Therefore, by analyzing the gap between the two approaches and their practicality on the ground with the existing situation, this study has come up with four scenarios in relation to the two approaches mentioned; water sharing and benefit sharing arrangements. These are, water sharing agreement without benefit sharing arrangement, benefit sharing arrangement without water sharing agreement, benefit sharing arrangement pending water sharing agreement and two agreements of water sharing and benefit sharing arrangements. Among the above scenarios, coming up with two agreements of water sharing and benefit sharing arrangements between the riparian states is a solution in solving the dispute over the Nile. Therefore, the signing of the CFA by all riparian states that destroys the real impediment of cooperation is a precondition for further upstream-downstream cooperation. Nevertheless, the divergent position of the riparians and their contradictory Nile policies and strategies

The significnce of neoliberaalism in the political economy of sub saharan africa the case of ethioapia

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:28:19 GMT

Title: The significnce of neoliberaalism in the political economy of sub saharan africa the case of ethioapia

Authors: TEWODROS, RETA BEREDA

Abstract: Currently because of the age of globalization the world is becoming to be conceived as a village. One of the major projects of globalization is the integration of the political economy of the less developed regions in to the global political economic order. Accordingly, during the past few decades the continent of Africa has been trying to integrate itself in to the international political economy either forcefully or by consent. The driving force of this integration is the ideology of neoliberalism. Under this integration states are recommended or forced to open up their markets to foreign companies competitions, to minimize the role of the government in the economy including minimizing the government expense for social security and social goods, to create fertile grounds for the market to be the only means to distribute the wealth of a nation and the prices of goods and services to be determined based on the principles of demand and supply, etc… The central question of this research is “does neoliberalism work in Africa?” The empirical discussion is made in Ethiopia. It tries to give deep explanations about the theoretical principles of neoliberalism and also this research deals with arguments for and against neoliberalism in to the political economy of Sub-Saharan Africa. Then the research proceed to the debates between the Revolutionary Democrats and Liberal Democrats concerning to the role of ideology of liberalism (neoliberalism) in the political economy of Ethiopia. After analyzing some key issues of the ongoing debate, the research findings conclude that the ideology of neoliberalism doesn‟t work in Africa. It is the conclusion of this research that neoliberalism is an ideology which doesn‟t subscribe to the socio-economic and political realities of the continent of Africa. When we come to the case of Ethiopia, after considering the strong and weak sides of both Revolutionary Democracy and Liberal Democracy, the author argues that we have to search for another political and economic ideology that can subscribe to the realities of the country. Key words:- Neoliberalism, Ideology, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia, Political-Economy, Theoretical Principles.

THE MARITIME DIMENSIONS OF SECURITY IN THE HORN OF

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:14:02 GMT