One may explain the relationship between Ethiopia and Sudan through a series of contingent factors whose relevance has been more conspicuous today that it is in the past. Among other things, the Nile River, economic relations and logistic proximity, exchange of multiple sets of cultural assets and values, mutual quest for peace between the two countries, restoration of peace in Sudan, introduction of public diplomacy could be cited as overarching factors that depict the frame of relations between the two countries.
Ethiopia was the only country that attempted to bring peace and unity in Sudan by attempting to arbitrate between forces of the Agnagana Movement and the Government of the Republic of Sudan in 1972. Again in 2011, Ethiopia played an active role in soliciting peace between the SPLM and the Sudanese Government which culminated in the independence of South Sudan.
Ethiopia was again the first country to engage in finding a sustained solution to the crisis that flared up in Sudan after the downfall of the Al-Bashir government and its replacement by a provisional military government. Ethiopia in cooperation with the AU recently masterminded the restoration of peace and stability in Sudan through the formation of a provisional government.
Ethiopia took a swift action in working for peace in Sudan with full belief that peace in the neighboring country would also mean peace for Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Sudan pioneered in the utilization of a public diplomacy that helped to further all strengthen the relations between the two countries. This was reciprocated by the formation of joint economic and trade commissions that were meant to oversee mutual economic and trade relations that were beneficial for both countries.
Promoting cultural relations between the two countries will certainly benefit the peoples of the respective countries to work towards strengthening regional tourism activities from which both countries can benefit. Cooperation in joint utilization of the Nile River could set a framework from which both countries can jumpstart join programs on science and technology.
In his recent response to the questions raised by the members of the HPR, Prime Minister recalled the support provided by Sudan in becoming a refuge for thousands of Ethiopians who were fleeing the repressive regime of the Derg and played a tribute to the friendly stance exhibited by the Republic of in letting thousands of Ethiopians to live in peace in Sudan.
Indeed recently there was a diplomatic ebb and flow in the relations between the two countries pertaining to periodic border skirmishes on the northern flank of the joint border between the two countries. Although the two countries have agreed to jointly monitor their border areas to fight illicit trade and contraband as well as human and arms trafficking, these activities are being complicated by heinous actions of groups who wish to gain political benefit by sowing discord among the peoples of the two countries residing in the border areas by inciting undesirable armed conflicts leading to the destabilization of the whole area.
The leaders of the two countries and regional governments on both sides of the border have all the necessary structural and organizational systems which they can effectively employ to resolve upcoming challenges in a more diplomatic and amicable manner.
At this point in time when the COVID-19 virus has struck the peoples of the two countries, the imperative of working in unison to at least minimize the effects of the pandemic is far more obvious.
It is to be recalled that the two countries have agreed to construct a railway network whose feasibility is to kick off soon. I have the opinion that the railway line that is expected to connect Addis Ababa with Khartoum and later to be extended to Port Sudan will not only boost the trade relations between the two countries but will also add up to the land transport network between African countries for promoting Agenda 2063 in the sphere of transportation.
In the context of the ongoing negotiations on ministerial level on filling GERD and related technical issues, Ethiopia and Sudan can contribute a lot in advocating for equitable, fair and inclusive approach towards using the Nile for the joint development of the three negotiating parties.
I believe that a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation can prevail when the three countries discuss on the issue on scientific facts instead of resorting to political and diplomatic polemics based on egoistic interests that would not pay off in the short run. Ethiopia and Sudan can play a positive role in confining the negotiations among the concerned three parties instead of looking for solutions outside of the scope of the terms of the negotiations or attempting to put pressure on Ethiopia through third parties who have always failed to bring about reasonable, fair and mutually beneficiary solutions to possible challenges.
The Ethiopian herald June 16,2020
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
