The Recent Ethio-Eritrea Rapprochement: Challenges and Prospects
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The recent Ethio-Eritrea rapprochement has changed the long conflicts and hostilities into peaceful relations of the two countries in particular and the region in general. The Ethio-Eritrea conflicts that had destabilized the Horn for about two decades came into an end as a result of the rapprochement. The border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea affected not only the two countries but also affected security of the region as well. A number of attempts were made to resolve the conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea either by regional or international community at different times. However, none of them able to end the conflicts. The Algiers Peace Agreement had brought the large scale war to an end in 2000. The rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been driven by both internal and external factors. Internally the change of leadership in Ethiopia and externally, the regional and international powers’ competition on the strategic Horn of Africa are the prominent factors. To this end the study aimed at describing and exploring the extent to which the rapprochement has been challenged and the prospects for the peace process. In exploring the challenges and prospects of the rapprochement data were gathered from different sources. Through in-depth interviews and literature, relevant data was gathered and analysed qualitatively. The peace deal is perceived positively and welcomed by many people, international and regional organizations. The rapprochement on the other hand encounters various internal and external challenges. The current internal situations in Ethiopia; political discontents, lack of institutionalization of the peace process, ‘ethnic based’ conflicts which has led to intensification of civilian displacements at different parts of the country and the interests of regional powers on the Horn could be a challenge to the rapprochement. Properly managing of the peace process of the rapprochement could have far reaching positive impacts on the two states and the entire region in economic, political, security and social aspects. Ethiopia will get access to the ports of Eritrea for export and import trade items. Furthermore, the finding identified the rapprochement could help in facilitating the Horn countries economic integration projects.
Description
Keywords
The Recent Ethio-Eritrea Rapprochement: Challenges and Prospects