BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The border tension between Ethiopia and Sudan has been upping and boiling over into the most serious intensification of territorial skirmishes in decades.
The escalation however has to do with latter’s hawkishness and miscalculations steered by individuals from the military wings and other groups that seek benefits in border disputes.
Despite Ethiopia makes every effort to resolve the territorial dispute and turn the tide in an orderly fashion utilizing various techniques devoid of spoiling the relations of the brotherly nations, the desired goal have not been realized yet.
Aside from engaging itself in ransacking properties, displacing quite a lot of people, setting fire to camps and things of that sort, Sudan has been betrothed in disseminating false misinformation by distorting the reality on the ground.
Sudanese aggressiveness is driven by its miscalculation and shortsighted conspiracy; many argue the invasion of Ethiopian borderline came as the Ethiopian Military launched law enforcement operation in Tigray. Convinced that Ethiopia is caught on its internal affairs, Khartoum has planned to encroach into the disputed border area In an interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Bamlak Yideg, Head of the Department of Political Science and International relations at Gondar University sai: “It is indeed obvious that Sudan is at odds with Ethiopia given that the Sudanese military wings invaded the latter’s border by force while the Ethiopian National Defense Force has been engulfed in the law enforcement operation in the Northern Tigray region,”
The Sudanese National Army took control of some areas in the disputed region by breaking the basic principles of international law and bilateral boundary agreements. In practical terms, as some nations undertake manifold undertakings in a bid to keep their interest, they partake in ugly business despite they know what the consequences will be.
He stressed that as things stand now, as the Sudanese National Armed forces are corrupted ones, they have been working shoulder to shoulder with Sudanese investors in fits and starts. No matter what it takes, they do not want to take orders from the Sudanese civilian government and put them into effect. Despite their acts could back the region into a corner, the Sudanese National Armies persistently keep on turning a deaf ear and doing everything in their way.
He further stressed that as Sudanese investors do need fertile Ethiopia’s land, they leave no stone unturned to remain in the disputed region whatever the cost may be.
Instead of listening to the civilian part of the transitional government and act accordingly, the Sudanese Generals within the Transitional Sovereign Council have been waging war despite Ethiopia is committed to resolving the border dispute in a calm atmosphere. In the light of the foregoing, it would be difficult to say Sudan has invaded the Ethiopian border.
The Sudanese Generals within the Transitional Sovereign Council and the civilian part of the transitional government have different outlooks. They are not listening to one another, and do not have anything in common. They were heard saying, “As long as we get dollars, we will do everything we can.”
It becomes evident that Ethiopia has been endeavoring to resolve the border tension in a peaceful atmosphere utilizing all possible means.
During the bargaining process, the causes of the dispute, the width of the occupied territory, the historical ties of the two nations, the number of casualties, the number of people that can fall into trouble following the border conflict from the two sides, and other things of a similar kind should be taken into account.
Before we start acting, we have to think twice. Simply heading for war has its own risk seeing that third parties may take advantage of the skirmish.
“Similarly, African institutions should work towards resolving the problem by putting a wide spectrum of strategies in place. War must be the last resort.
As long as possible, we should use a maximum effort to resolve the territorial disputes peacefully. I am under the impression that the only way out is resolving the problem through dialogue and discussion,” he added.
It seems obvious that the Ethiopian National Defense Force is very busy these days in conducting the law enforcement operation in the Northern part of Ethiopia. As the Sudanese soldiers were looking for the golden time, they ended up invading Ethiopian territory.
They do not seem to know the capability of the Ethiopian National Defense Force. As there is a meeting of minds between the people of Ethiopia and the government, everything will be like a walk in the park for Ethiopians.
He went on to say, “Nowadays, hundreds of thousands have been rallying across Sudan due to various reasons. If they had supported the invasion of Sudan, the people of Sudan would have stood by the side of the government and expressed their consent in various ways,”
Similarly, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) should make every possible effort to resolve the territorial dispute. As a matter of fact, IGAD has a lot of limitations concerning giving solutions and making a decision. Although they endeavor to solve the problem, attaining the envisioned target will be very easier said than done.
To the best of my knowledge, I do not think they will resolve the problem after a short time. As the role of IGAD is working to restore regional stability, some activities have been started to solve the problem peacefully.
He elucidated that International and regional intuitions do not sit binding their hands and foot regarding the case. They have been endeavoring to get to the bottom of the problem peacefully, but the major actor and participants of the dispute should be identified.
“I am of the opinion that the actors behind the Ethio-Sudan border are others, but the participant is Sudan. We cannot achieve the desired goal with no trouble. It takes time. It is not an overnight process.
The two brotherly nations’ problems should be solved through dialogue. I would venture to say, the mediatory role of South Sudan, Turkey, and other nations should be emboldened.” he wrapped up.
In a previous interview with Herald, Dire Dawa University Political Science Lecturer and Assistant Professor Faji Challa for his part stated that focusing on mutual understanding plays a vital role in solving boarder problems and creating sustainable positive linkage, but it needs firm commitment and closely held dialogues.
According to Faji, public diplomacy has been playing an indispensible role that helps solve sporadic conflicts in boarder area without external interferences. It is obvious that both countries have strong cultural and historical ties. The difference is perhaps reflected in utilizing alternative approaches to succeed their goals. That is a normal move.
Dr. Eng. Tilahun Erduno, a commentator in current Ethiopian also stated that it should be underlined that no dispute of such kind has been solved sustainably by such irresponsible and disrespectful military act of aggression. Therefore, instead of complicating and worsening the issue, the Sudanese people have to say no war between the two poorest nations.”
Among other things, Ethiopians believe that no international boundary and water issues will be solved with such disrespectful act of military aggression.
“We should suspect that the major actors behind the boarder issue between Ethiopia and Sudan are Egypt and probably others. Against this background, we should be very careful and wise. We should also remember the fact that the Sudanese Generals were persistently leaving for Cairo,” he wrapped up.
The Ethiopian Herald February 24/2021
