BY MENGESHA AMARE
Ethiopia is known for its diplomatic lines either with neighboring countries or foreign states as it has developed longstanding bilateral and multilateral ties with the countries in the continent and beyond since long back.
The country has now been entertaining peace and tranquility with its neighbors Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Egypt, among others. It has possessed a time-tested and well acknowledged bilateral relationship with its neighbors, especially as a result of the recent reform.
The former is one of the African countries which have had a firm bilateral tie with Ethiopia. Not only is Sudan a good neighbor to Ethiopia but it is a strategic ally for this great eastern Africa nation—Ethiopia.
Though bilateral affairs between Ethiopia and the Sudan have shown progress, some clashes are recently reported at border areas and have caused some form of confrontation.
Relying on reliable and longstanding ties the two countries developed so far, restoring the smooth relationship and the peace they have enjoyed running a number of social, economic and political issues is an incomparable measure to be taken.
It is very important to primarily sweep interactions that have been murky, and beef up objective realities on the ground with a view to peacefully resolving arguments in their state of affairs between the two countries.
It is with this understanding that Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and his counterpart Abdella Hamdok have reached agreement to solve border disputes via round table discussions and close talks.
The areas where the existence of the long-disputed farmlands near the border where refugees have been crossing have to be well demarcated and border citizens of both sides are expected to lead a peaceful life in their respective territories. For this, the commitment of the two leaders matters the most.
As the tensions increased and some skirmishes have sometimes taken place following Ethiopian farmers residing at the border claim rights to lands in the al-Fashqa plain and that of the Sudan, lasting solution to the problems needs to be devised and the sources of clashes sometimes flare during planting and harvest seasons should get dried.
Prompted by security concerns, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok visited Ethiopia with what senior Sudanese officials said was a proposal to mediate.
Hamdok and Abiy agreed to revive a directive to settle their border dispute, which dates back to colonial times, and made progress over stalled three-way talks with Egypt on a Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
It was also expressed that minor clashes and disagreements won’t break the bond between the two countries as they always use dialogue to resolve disputes.
It is also well recognized that as the conflict area in Ethiopia is a border area, and it’s close to Sudan, Eritrea, and South Sudan, it can impact the whole region, and the Red Sea region. What some regional diplomats and humanitarian aid workers feared was settled in that volatile surrounding.
Some also worry about the strain that refugee arrivals are placing on Sudan, which is trying to recover from decades of its own internal conflicts that displaced several million people.
As Ethiopia always does, Sudan is also willing to welcome refugees and provide them with all the required supports.
Not only Sudan has had good relationship with Ethiopia these days but it had also firm ties with this country since long back. Besides, Sudan’s transitional authorities were grateful for Ethiopia’s mediation between the Sudanese military and civilian groups after Bashir’s overthrow last year.
As learnt from its officials, Sudan needs to be very careful. They cannot afford now to be hosting opposition leaders and opposition armed groups as they are ready to give priority to peaceful neighborhood and common good.
Diplomatic Relations in Trans-boundary aspects let alone among neighboring nations have to be well exercised as the customary rules and practices of regional diplomacy are of paramount importance in buttressing relations and peaceful coexistence.
The fundamental concerns of the agreement between Ethiopia and Sudan need to be based on the essences of the bilateral diplomatic relations incorporating a number of factors.
In the first place, the procedures for the establishment of permanent diplomatic relations between nations need to be based on mutual consent, and the required conditions for their unilateral reprieve or severance need to be kept intact.
Secondly, the identification of official representation and the promotion of friendly relations and international cooperation as the basic functions of permanent missions are expected to be well centered.
Third, the protection of the legitimate interests of the respective countries and the inviolability of their premises, assets, or communications as well as the particular inviolability and jurisdictional immunity
of diplomatic agents, as the functional privileges required by diplomatic missions, has to be well acknowledged.
Some of the most classic diplomatic procedures, such as diplomatic correspondence in the form of round table discussions have still played an important role in fortifying contemporary civilized relations. Diplomatic notes, for example, are widely used for a great variety of purposes, ranging from administrative matters to the expression of a formal protest.
In principle, the establishment of diplomatic relations among sovereign nations is a matter of mutual consent. The correspondent agreement may comprise different stipulations, always in accordance with the sovereign stance of the counties, and should hold an element of a win-win benefit.
Coming up with peaceful coexistence to effectively solve disagreements need to be well nurtured. The maintenance of diplomatic relations can also be well flourished. Yes, reliable diplomatic moves promote important voices from within the countries and around the world.
There are of course innumerable supports and ally aspects between the two countries—Ethiopia and Sudan. This cooperation and working for common goal—making a difference in all aspects—has to be well intensified, and other states of the continent need to draw important lessons from these great nations of the Horn.
Sudan has a number of strategic as well as historic reasons to work with Ethiopia and other nations of the continent. For instance, it has a long history of involvement in Ethiopian and Eritrean affairs.
Since disputes over the border areas between Ethiopia and Sudan as well as neighboring countries have frequently led to tension in bilateral relations, the already decided discussion is a sign of civility with a view to coming up with peace and security in the Horn in particular and the continent in general.
In sum, the governments of both Ethiopia and Sudan must bring their wisdom to bear on the sovereignty issues, and find technical solutions to pursue joint development and common growth setting disputes aside. Cooperation in other areas such as security issues, and environmental protection affairs is a confidence-building move which is conducive to buttress friendly bilateral relations, as well as bolster peace and stability in the Horn.
If Khartoum and Addis Ababa have done what is expected of them in various aspects such as economic, social and political lines as peacefully and amicable as possible, other members of the continent would follow suit, and the target of AU will definitely be hit within the shortest time possible.
The Ethiopian herald December 23/2020
