Ethiopia has traditionally played a central and constructive role in matters of the continent, and the Horn of Africa. The country has been a historical leader in promoting peace and stability.
Ethiopia had been playing a central role in trying to turn the volatile region, into a corridor of peace and stability by spearheading peacekeeping missions, and championing regional economic integration initiatives.
Whether its peacekeeping effort in South Sudan or Somalia, or making regional institution like African Union or IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) capable enough to provide platform for collaboration between regional States, Ethiopia has been there in the forefront, as a champion of stability and economic cooperation.
After shaking up things in the domestic political landscape since taking office, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also moved to add vigor to these principles which the country has championed for long, and to reboot the country’s foreign affairs, globally, continentally and regionally.
Under him, Ethiopia’s approach to the region is described by analysts as ‘Horn First’, where he plans to make Ethiopia a fulcrum of regional economic integration, which, for him, is also one of the pillars for achieving a prosperous Ethiopia.
During his Nobel Lecture in Oslo after receiving the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, for his role in ending the 20-year war and deadlock between Ethiopia and Eritrea, he said that it is important that the region does not become a battlefield for world super powers, and a hideout for global terrorists, but rather “a treasury of peace and progress”.
The policy reboot aims to leverage the country’s geostrategic significance beyond maintaining peace and stability, and push for economic integration. The aim of this new line of thinking is to utilize the region’s human resource through economic integration and bring economic opportunities rather than misery and despair to this volatile region.
This paradigm shift to Horn first shows promise both for the economic benefits it can bring and for its potential in building a more secure Horn of Africa.
This can be illustrated through many instances. In addition to the breakneck speed the Ethio-Eritrea 20 year long stalemate has ended, the country has spearheaded initiatives to broker peace in South Sudan, encouraged political transition in Sudan, among other peace broker initiatives.
Although the country has maintained a constructive role in bringing peace and stability in the region during past regimes, the policy reboot and Abiy’s effort brought an added vigor in approach and outcome.
After many failed negotiations and stalled efforts, the South Sudan peace process has used the added vigor in getting the motivation to form a transitional unity government within short span of time. The Premier’s recent successful tour to State visit to Guinea Conakry, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, especially the latter, is another illustration of the added vigor bringing diplomatic results at continental level.
In the war-torn Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has been at the center of a variety of efforts to make peace, and while results are tentative and incomplete, the work should be lauded and supported.
The Ethiopian Herald January 15/2020
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
