The implications of Ethiopia’s foreign policy dynamics towards the Horn of Africa since 1991

Abstract

The research aimed to assess the implications of Ethiopia`s foreign policy dynamics towards the Horn of Africa. Qualitative research has been employed and relevant data were collected through unstructured and semi-structured interviews from purposively selected key informants consisting of IGAD, MoFA, and diplomats from Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. For secondary sources, previous works on the area were reviewed. The findings of the study revealed that Ethiopia influences regional security, economic, and political agendas through sub-regional and regional organizations. Ethiopia as a chair of IGAD has played an important role in the successful implementation of the CPA and the resulting South Sudanese referendum. Largely, Ethiopia’s role through diplomatic engagement, military intervention, mediation, and peacekeeping activities in the region particularly in Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Sudan is a good example. The current Ethiopian foreign policy stresses sustained economic development, promotion of democracy, and peace as the main objectives in the region and elsewhere. Accordingly, Ethiopia is constructing railways, roads, and electricity, to connect with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea. Thus, since 1991, Ethiopia`s national interests towards the Horn have been completely redefined to focus on mutual gain. Nevertheless, it should also be noted that the efforts have been greatly determined by a multitude of factors such as; domestic politics, the need for port service, security, refugees, preserving its regional hegemony, border, proxy war, and terrorism. Indeed, those factors are stimulating the current Ethiopian foreign policy through economic interdependence, cooperation, and securitization of the HoA.