As the Ethiopian New Year is approaching, the nation has designated Pagument 3, 2016 E.C as the day of national sovereignty in the country.
Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies. It can take several forms and be understood in various contexts. Below are theauthorexplains the main types and forms of sovereignty as practiced across the world today.
Legal sovereignty refers to the authority of a state based on its laws and constitution. It is vested in a specific entity, such as a parliament, which has the supreme authority to enact, amend, and enforce laws.
On the other hand, political sovergnnity denotes the real power behind the state. It refers to where political authority truly lies, which may not always be in the legal sovereign body. For instance, in democracies, the electorate is often regarded as the holder of political sovereignty. The Ethiopian federal constitution provides that that sovergnnity is vested in the nations,, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia.
Internal sovereignty is the power of a state to govern itself within its own borders. It refers to the control and authority the government exercises over its citizens and territory without any internal challenges.
External sovereignty refers to the recognition of a state’s sovereignty by other nations and its ability to conduct relations with foreign governments as an independent entity. It emphasizes freedom from external interference.
Rooted in democratic principles, popular sovereignty means that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through elected representatives.
Nominal Sovereignty refers to a situation where the state holds formal or legal authority but does not exercise real power (e.g., monarchs in constitutional monarchies). Real Sovereignty refers to states or entities that exercise effective control and real authority over their territory and people.
De Jure Sovereignty is sovereignty as recognized by law, often based on international treaties and legal norms.
De Facto Sovereignty refers to the actual control a state exercises, regardless of its legal recognition (e.g., a rebel group controlling part of a country may have de facto sovereignty).
Sovereignty is often influenced by internal and external pressures, including globalization, supranational organizations like the EU, and economic interdependence, which can challenge a state’s ability to maintain complete control over its affairs.
In terms of territorial integrity, Ethiopia’s modern borders have been shaped through treaties and agreements with neighboring countries. Despite occasional conflicts over border issues, such as the Ethio-Eritrean war, Ethiopia continues to assert its territorial integrity.
Ethiopia’s sovereign governance is characterized by its federal political system, which grants significant autonomy to its various regional states. The Ethiopian Constitution enshrines this federal structure and emphasizes the rights of ethnic groups to self-determination within the context of a unified state.
Ethiopia has historically engaged in an independent foreign policy, balancing relations with major global powers while maintaining its national interests. The country is active in regional diplomacy and international organizations like the UN and African Union, where it advocates for African unity and development.
Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile has been a recent assertion of its sovereign right to use its natural resources for development. This has led to diplomatic negotiations with Egypt and Sudan, who rely on the Nile waters downstream, highlighting the balance between sovereignty and regional cooperation. This is based on Ethiopia’s sovereign rights to use her own natural resources for her development.
In recent years, challenges such as internal ethnic conflicts, political reforms, and economic transitions have tested Ethiopia’s capacity to maintain its sovereignty, particularly in ensuring stable governance and addressing regional disputes. Nonetheless, the country remains committed to preserving its sovereignty while navigating complex internal and external pressures.
Ethiopia’s sovereignty comprises the sovereignty of African states in determining their own destiny by themselves in charting out their own policies, defense strategies and socio-economic development through economic integration and mutual assistance and balanced trade among themselves.
Despite the legal and political rights to her own sovereignty, Ethiopia is being challenges by a number of factors that need to be addressed over time. The country is taking various measures to meet her food security needs by employing various measures including agricultural modernization and industrialization. The recent macro-economic policy and the other subsidiary monetary and financial measures being implemented comprise the nation’s attempts to buttress up political sovereignty on sound economic development free of foreign debt and other obligations.
Some scholars and politicians argue that Ethiopia’s access to ports is purely economical and has nothing to do with politics. The author thinks that this is partially true as the issue of request for ports is also linked with the sovereignty and security of the country. Given the fragility of the political situation in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is also vulnerable to security threats on the country.
Ports are crucial to Ethiopia’s sovereignty and security for several reasons:
Ports enable the import and export of goods, which is vital for sustaining Ethiopia’s economy. Since Ethiopia is landlocked, it relies on neighboring countries’ ports (like Djibouti, Berbera, and Lamu) for access to international markets. Secure and stable access to ports ensures that Ethiopia maintains economic sovereignty by controlling the flow of essential imports, exports, and trade routes.
Having access to ports is essential for the movement of military goods, supplies, and personnel. Ports can serve as strategic locations for defense and logistics, making it easier for Ethiopia to safeguard its national security interests.
Control over or access to ports can provide Ethiopia with diplomatic leverage in regional relations. Reliable access to international trade routes enhances Ethiopia’s bargaining power in foreign policy negotiations and strengthens its geopolitical position in the Horn of Africa.
Ports are key for importing fuel and other energy resources. Without secure access to ports, Ethiopia could face energy shortages, which would affect its economy, industry and military capabilities.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
The Ethiopian Herald September 8/2024
