Economic interdependence presents itself as the only viable option to steer the volatile Horn in the right track of peace, many scholars suggest. It was in light of this that in his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has once again brought his aspiration for a more integrated Horn to the spotlight.
Now that the Horn’s protracted conflict has been resolved following the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the issue of regional integration has already placed at the heart of Horn politics quite for a while now. But the stakes are high andthe challenges are too many to realize the aspiration of regional integration especially in a region where nations are rocked by internal crisis and common threats with challenges remaining largely unaddressed, comments the scholars.
The fact that the Horn region is volatile makes regional integration compulsory, says Amb. Mohamoud Dirir, Chief Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Integration is not a matter luxury. It is a must do and only viable choice, he argues. “Political will is what matters most for its realization.
It is not about finance, or other requirements, the most important driver to an integrated Horn is political will of governments.” The Horn regional integration is long overdue and it has to be implemented with serious commitment, according to him. “In fact, economic integration has become a best prescribed solution to political problems. Once the region has strong economy that would address the questions of youths relating to unemployment, gender parity and other issues, integration is more likely to come to fruition.” Member countries of the region share cultural, historical and othercommon values.
This would make incumbent upon the countries to enhance what they have achieved so far, not only in terms of bilateral cooperation but also in multilateral fronts, he adds. “Blocs like IGAD provide the platform to steer the integration; there is no need to reinvent the wheel.” The region cannot continue to be labeled as breeding ground of unrest and droughts, he notes, underlining that it is high time to be visionary and create viable option for integrated region.
This is already playing with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy’s vision. Premier Abiy sees the negative downturn of duplication of institutions and he seeks to mobilize communality. This is important to engender common destiny without a need to compromise the sovereignty of countries, according to Mohamoud Nowadays, there is strong desire in the entire region towards integration including countries going through crisis because of the majority of the population is youth, it is pertinent upon the nations to create jobs not only to improve the livelihood but also to play important part in the political dynamics of the region, adds Mohamoud. Mekelle University Asst. Prof. of Political Science, Yemane Zerai, for his part says that economic measures should be taken sooner than later. ”Countries should attach due attention to fostering joint infrastructural projects and economic integrations besides formalizing trade and customs services among the nations,” he states. After all, countries have sovereignty and it behooves the nations to undertake economic transactions in line with international standards, he notes.
Ultimately, economic integration is what countries have to push for by taking different steps, Yemane indicates. Countries should also integrate and harmonize their economic interests, according to him. Also, the relations should be scaled up into a point where countries can align their short and long term economic goals, he adds.
They roadmap to such aspiration is that member countries should first address their internal crisis, he says, adding the fact chaotic situation in one country can have spillover effects on others. It requires thorough assessment and study on how to integrate the region. In fact regional integration requires less rhetoric but more action, as to Yemane. Governments must build trust among themselves and reconcile political differences, noted the political scientist.
Regional integration does not only bring economic advantages but also help counter growing common challenges including arms and human trafficking and terrorism and extremism, he adds. Similarly, the strategic importance of the Horn region has already become susceptible to external pressure with the increasing militarization and engagement of powerful nations. And regional integration according to the experts is to come together and foster development.
Herald February 8/2019
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
