BY ADDISALEM MULAT
Ethiopia’s commitment to regional integration and its active involvement in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) initiatives have further cemented its role in the region. Through its membership, Ethiopia has contributed to the development of policies and strategies of the regional bloc aimed at addressing common challenges facing the region.
The country’s participation in peacekeeping missions has enhanced its stature and influence in IGAD. Ethiopia is one of the largest contributors of troops and resources to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which aims to stabilize the country and combat terrorism. The country has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle irregular migration, human trafficking, and smuggling in the region. As part of its commitment to promoting peace and stability, Ethiopia actively takes part in initiatives that have been established by IGAD. These initiatives primarily focus on resolving conflicts, strengthening economic development, and promoting regional trade and investment.
One of the ways Ethiopia contributes to promoting peace and stability is by offering its military support to IGAD-led peacekeeping missions in Somalia and South Sudan. Ethiopia is a key contributor to these missions, providing troops and other resources necessary for their success. Apart from participating in peacekeeping missions, the country also plays a crucial mediatory role in resolving disputes through diplomacy. Through its mediation efforts, Ethiopia has been able to bring the two countries to the negotiating table, leading to several agreements aimed at fostering peace and stability. Another way Ethiopia contributes to the IGAD initiatives is through participating in various programs aimed at promoting regional economic development. These programs aim to create sustainable economic growth that benefits not only Ethiopia but also other countries in the region.
As a result of its active participation in IGAD initiatives, Ethiopia has emerged as a key ally in promoting regional stability. The country’s commitment to peace and stability has earned it respect from other IGAD member countries and the international community at large. In particular, Ethiopia’s contributions to peacekeeping missions and diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts are highly valued. Ethiopia’s involvement in IGAD initiatives has been instrumental in promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. Through its military support, mediation efforts, and economic development programs, Ethiopia has demonstrated its commitment to furthering regional stability. As the country continues to play an active role in IGAD initiatives, it is poised to make even greater contributions to the region’s progress.
Through its engagement with IGAD, Ethiopia has facilitated trade negotiations that have helped to ease trade barriers and improve the flow of goods among member states. The country has also been instrumental in promoting infrastructure development in the region, which has created opportunities for businesses to thrive and for people to access better services. The country’s efforts towards economic cooperation have not only benefited Ethiopia but also its neighboring countries, by creating opportunities for regional trade, investment and development. Ethiopia’s role as a founding member of IGAD has been critical to the organization’s success, as its position as a significant political and economic power in the area allows for it to provide valuable insight and guidance in regional matters.
Through its active participation in IGAD, Ethiopia has taken on a leadership role in fostering increased cooperation, integration and collaboration among member states towards common goals. This participation has contributed significantly to the organization’s success in promoting sustainable economic development and peace building within the region. Overall, Ethiopia’s involvement in IGAD has been pivotal, and continues to be critical for the positive impact the organization aims to achieve.
IGAD has been established as an important platform for member states to collaborate on various issues that concern the region. Ethiopia, being a member state of IGAD, plays an essential role in this regional organization. Ethiopia’s contributions to IGAD are vast and varied, impacting several areas such as political stability, security enhancement, economic development and regional integration. Ethiopia’s involvement in IGAD allows it to be part of regional efforts to tackle challenges related to peace and security, socioeconomic development and other pressing issues affecting the region.
The infrastructure developments have opened up previously inaccessible areas, making it possible for businesses to reach more customers than before. The roads have made movement of goods faster and more efficient, while the new railway lines have provided an additional channel for transporting goods across the borders. Besides, the improved power transmission lines have made electricity more widely available in the region, creating numerous opportunities for businesses that rely on electricity to operate efficiently.
Ethiopia has emerged as an influential player in regional integration, with the country taking key steps to foster stronger economic ties among its neighboring states. Ethiopia’s leadership role in this regard cannot be underestimated, as the country has played a vital role in shaping and driving regional integration efforts towards a more prosperous future for all involved. By working closely with neighboring countries, Ethiopia has succeeded in fostering greater unity, collaboration, and mutual respect within the region. Ethiopia’s commitment to regional integration sets a positive example for other countries in the region and beyond. With its active engagement in promoting free trade, customs unions, and common markets, Ethiopia has shown that integration can be a powerful tool for unlocking economic growth and improving living standards.
Through its tireless efforts, Ethiopia has helped to create a pathway towards a more integrated and prosperous future for the continent as a whole. Ethiopia’s involvement in IGAD has been significant in many ways. The country has made important contributions in various aspects that have helped to advance the organization’s objectives. For instance, Ethiopia has played a pivotal role in promoting regional connectivity and integration. Through various infrastructure development projects, such as the construction of roads, railways, and energy networks, Ethiopia has facilitated the movement of goods and people across borders, thereby improving intra-regional trade and cooperation.
Another significant contribution of Ethiopia to IGAD is its leadership in developing policies and agreements that promote economic cooperation. The country has been instrumental in facilitating discussions and negotiations among member states, leading to the signing of various agreements on trade, investment, and other economic issues. These agreements have boosted cross-border trade and investment, resulting in increased economic growth and development in the region. When it comes to promoting peace and security in the region, Ethiopia has played a pivotal role in supporting IGAD’s efforts. The country has been actively involved in several peacekeeping missions that aim to restore stability in the region. Among these missions is Ethiopia’s deployment of troops to fight Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. By taking on this responsibility, Ethiopia has shown its unwavering dedication to combating terrorism and promoting peaceful coexistence among nations within the Horn of Africa.
The country’s willingness to take an active role in peacekeeping missions is a testament to the importance it places on fostering harmonious relationships between neighboring countries. Through its deployment of troops to fight Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, Ethiopia demonstrates that it is not only committed to protecting its own national security but also to ensuring the safety and security of others in the region. In a similar vein, Ethiopia has played a pivotal role in mediating conflicts in South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia. In these contexts, Ethiopia leverages its influence and resources to bring warring parties to the negotiation table. Consequently, the country has been instrumental in finding lasting solutions to conflicts, which threaten the stability of the region.
The role played by Ethiopia in ensuring peace and security in the region cannot be over emphasized. In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Executive Secretary of IGAD Spokesperson, Nuur Mohamud Sheekh said that Ethiopia has been supporting and committed to realizing IGAD objective since its establishment. The government of Ethiopia has been playing significant role in ensuring regional peace and security, battling climate change and others, he mentioned. Ethiopia is playing bold role in IGAD prioritizing benefit of neighboring countries and undertaking wide range of activities ranging from fighting natural and man-made disasters, reasonable water resource utilization, ensuring and supporting peace and security of neighboring countries, ensuring food security, and others, he indicated.
“The Ethiopian government has peacefully solved the northern conflict, which clearly demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to continental peace and stability. Even though the region is volatile and vulnerable to civil war, the commitment made by Ethiopia to find lasting solution to the conflict in its northern part is commendable and can be a good lesson for the member states,” he said.
It was stated that IGAD was created in 1996 to supersede the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), which was founded in 1986 to mitigate the effects of the recurring severe droughts and other natural disasters that resulted in widespread famine, ecological degradation and economic hardship in the region. Accordingly, IGAD is working to ensure peace and security, economic development, mitigates the effects of the droughts, and others thereby promoting common benefit among the member states, he indicated.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 6 JUNE 2023
