Rapprochement Between Ethiopia and Eritrea: Its Implication for the Peace and Security of The Horn of Africa
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa Unversity
Abstract
This paper examines the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and its implications for
the peace and security of the Horn of Africa. Following the failure to adhere to the verdict of the
Algiers agreement, the two countries have been under the situation of ‗no war, no peace‘.
During this period, the security of the HoA was destabilized in terms of proxy wars and financial
and material support to the opposition groups of one another. More importantly, the act of
supporting subversive activities had distracted the peace and security of the two countries in
particular and the region in general. Now, the two countries have ended their two decades of
stalemate which heralded a new era for peace and security of the HoA. So, the major objective of
the researcher is to explore the rapprochement between the two countries and its implication for
the peace and security of the HoA. To do so, the researcher employed qualitative research
methodology. Interview and key informant interview were used to extract primary data from
member states‘ embassies sited in Addis Ababa like South Sudan, Eritrea, and from
organizations of the AU and IGAD. Moreover, Neighboring Countries Directorate General
Desk Offices of Ministry of Foreign Affair of Ethiopia, AAU‘ Department of PSIR and IPSS were
used as institutions where primary data was extracted. Document analysis was used as a
secondary data collection instrument. The finding of this study reveals that, as the HoA is
characterized by security complex where member countries support opposition and insurgent
groups of one another, the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea played a tremendous
role in terms of ending supporting of opposition and insurgent groups. For instance, insurgent
groups like OLF, Ginbot-7, ONLF, ARDUF, and TPDM returned to their home lands in order to
carry out a peaceful struggle. The rapprochement serves as a lynchpin to bring the Horn of
African countries together. Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan are the beneficiaries of Ethio Eritrean rapprochement. Although Sudan and Djibouti are not beneficiaries in the same
magnitude with that of Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan. Furthermore, the rapprochement will
enhance people-to-people interaction that can realize aspiration of regional integration. Despite
the above prospects, the rapprochement has pitfalls. The rapprochement‘s natures of state centric, non- institutionalized, lack of inclusivity of different stakeholders make the
rapprochement‘s journey to tracks of uncertainty. Resolving the aforementioned challenges with
a clear and transparent policy framework is the recommendation of the study.