BY HIZKEL HAILU
Ethiopian-Sudanese relations have historically been founded on domestic goals of physical security, economic development and access to the water resources offered by the Nile.
In order to promote security and economic progress in Ethiopia and the broader region, Ethiopia has established an increased diplomatic profile through IGAD, the AU and the UN and independent diplomatic work.
Contrary to Ethiopia’s effort to solidify regional integration, the Sudanese army attacked and invaded farmlands in the border area taking advantage of Ethiopia’s army deployment to enforce the law in Tigray state. Following this attack, Sudan and Ethiopia commenced talks in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on 22 December 2020, on the border demarcation issue.
“As it is clear that the two neighboring countries (Ethiopia and Sudan) have a long-standing diplomatic relationship, it is so difficult to break this relationship easily,” said Mohammed Ali (P.HD.), Assistance Professor of Africa Administration and Development Institute at Ethiopian Civil Service University.
As to Mohammed, the government and the citizens of Ethiopia should inform the international community that the disputes among the Ethiopia-Sudan border resulted in the Sudanese force attack.
Indeed following the coming of the military government in Sudan, the government wants to show its power. As per Mohammed’s point of view, there are four reasons for the Sudanese government to start a conflict with the government of Ethiopia. First, the government of Sudan is using this situation in order to divert the democratic demands of its citizens.
Secondly, they assumed that the National Defense Force of Ethiopia has become weak due to the law enforcement activity that was taken place in Tigray regional state. As to him, the violence across the border is also supported by some of the TPLF Junta’s members in order to interrupt the two countries’ longstanding diplomatic relationship parallel with hindering the reform of Ethiopia.
Apart from these, the lifting of the sanction against Sudan that was laid by the US after twenty-seven years is also considered a root cause for the Sudanese to start a border conflict with Ethiopia.
The forth decisive reason for him is the pressure of countries like Egypt. In relation to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renascence Dam (GERD), the government of Egypt is in dispute with Ethiopia. Egypt is targeting to jeopardize the Ethiopian government.
He further stated that Egypt in collaboration with the TPLF Junta is working to instigate civil war in Ethiopia. Yet, due to the fact that their effort failed in upsetting Ethiopia by attacking the Northern Command of the Ethiopian army, they have started to divert the attention of Ethiopians by starting disputes at the border of Ethiopia and Sudan as a plan B.
But the patience of the government of Ethiopia indicates it’s resolute to diplomatic means to solve any regional issue. But if the situation deteriorates, the Ethiopian Government should make a reasonable measure to preserve its sovereignty.
As a great and sovereign country, Ethiopia should undertake the following activities in order to sustain its territorial integrity. First and for most, the government shall check its administration. Because conflicts that occurred recently in some part of Oromia and Benishangul gumuz regions were to somehow perpetrate by some government officials coupled with the Juntas, he emphasized.
And then it is also important to build a strong security institution. And last but not the least, the measure that Ethiopia should take is developing a long plan in relation to public diplomacy. As to him, public diplomacy helps the country to strengthen cultural branding.
In this case, higher government officials including the Prime Minister, the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs parallel with every individual should extend clear image about Ethiopia for the international community. Especially, the media should also work ardently in reporting balanced and factual information about the diplomatic stance of Ethiopia using dominant and international languages such as English, Arabic, French and the likes.
With regard to the construction of GERD, Egyptians have made extensive work to convince the international community to support their stance. This will be also a cause for the Sudanese Government to start a conflict with Ethiopia. Despite the diplomatic way of conflict resolution is vital to avoid any damage, there should not be any negotiation that will hurt Ethiopia’s national interest, he stressed.
Meanwhile, in his discussion with Al Ain Amharic about the recent Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, stated that Ethiopia prioritizes diplomatic ways to solve the problems.
Ambassador Dina also underscored that the dispute will not serve the inherent needs of the people Sudan. Ethiopia still believes in peace and is requesting Sudan to evacuate its military forces from Ethiopian areas that it has forcefully occupied by displacing farmers as a precondition for negotiation.
The Ethiopian Herald January 31/2021
