The Role of Shuttle Diplomacy in the Cessation of Hostilities Between the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Tigray Peoples Libration Front in the North Ethiopian Conflict: from 2020-2022
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Date
2024-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explains how shuttle diplomacy employed by the African Union and the United States has contributed to bringing the federal government and TPLF to the negotiation table, where the permanent cessation of hostility was reached in Pretoria, South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach and used key informant interviews and digital ethnography as instruments of data collection. According to the findings of the study, Ethiopia experienced a devastating conflict from 2020 to 2022 that was deeply rooted in post-2018 post-reform period developments like power rivalry, isolation of the TPLF in the new administration, the Ethiopian-Eritrea rapprochement, dismantling of the EPRDF, creation of the Prosperity Party, and the extension of the sixth general election. The aggregate of frustration and mistrust led to the November 3, 2020, preemptive attack of TPLF forces against ENDF, which marked the beginning of the conflict. Since this time, the African Union and the United States have been involved in resolving the conflict through a shuttle diplomacy approach. This approach was able to mobilize diplomatic efforts, abide by the non-intervention principle, and establish a robust platform for direct talks. However, intensive engagements in shuttle between Addis Ababa and Mekelle, the perception of impartiality, the rapid development of the battlefield and opportunistic behavior of parties, the multi-task mandates of envoys, and the swift change of US envoys to the region prevent success. Therefore, the study concludes that shuttle diplomacy, designed to address the North Ethiopian conflict, has not significantly contributed to the permanent cessation of hostility agreements.
Key Words: Shuttle diplomacy, Cessation of Hostility, Ceasefires, African Union, United States
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Keywords
Shuttle diplomacy, Cessation of Hostility, Ceasefires, African Union, United States