Ethiopia’s Domestic Political Dynamics: Implications on the Horn of Africa Politics
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Date
2025-06-01
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Based on a neoclassical realist theoretical framework, the principal objective of this study is investigating and examining how and when Ethiopia’s domestic political dynamics affect the Horn of Africa’s politics. To collect relevant data, the study has employed qualitative research methodology. Key informant interviews with scholars, specialized on Ethiopia’s domestic politics and the Horn affairs, have utilized to collect primary data. Besides, available literatures that are closer to the thematic area of study have also included and analyzed as a secondary source of data. Analysis of the data validates the assertion of neoclassical realists on nexus between international/regional politics and internal political dynamics of states. The study finds that in the Horn of Africa modern political history, the most devastating inter-state conflicts occurred due to Ethiopia’s domestic political insecurity. Through neoclassical realists’ assertion, Ethiopia’s domestic politics determine the likelihood of inter-state war, the level of proliferation of proxy’s and possibility of filling/creating leadership vacuum in the horn aligning with the theory of hegemonic stability. In addition, the study identifies inverse relationship between the occurrences of interstate war and proxies in the horn, and Ethiopia’s domestic political security. Moreover, the study finds a continuity and similarity on the regional implication of post-2018 Ethiopia’s political unrest.
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Keywords
Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, Regional Politics, Domestic Politics, (in) security