The Horn of Africa has naturally bound the millions of people of the region. Geographic, linguistic and economic factors have tied the people together, making it mandatory to float together.
The people living in this geo-strategic region do not only protect their own interests, they also host a plethora of external interests from all regions of the world. It behooves on the people, and their leaders as well as the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to create unity of purpose so as to thrive together.
Ethiopia in this regard never shies away from throwing its full weight behind the common cause of the region. It bilaterally and multilaterally cooperates with all entities in the region, envisioning the improvement of the living standards of millions of people in the region. Take for example the sacrifices that Ethiopia has paid to enable neighboring Somalia stand on its own feet. That country was once tagged with “swampy area of terrorism,” “launching pad of terrorists” and a “failed state” while the fact is, no matter what, it is a land that millions of people call it home. Today, Somalia is reviving to be an important player in the region, tribute to the dear sacrifices that Ethiopian men and women in uniform paid alongside their African brothers. By the same token, Ethiopia was deployed in Abyei as part of the UN Interim Security Force (UNISFA), a disputed region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. Ethiopia has still joined hands with relevant entities to promote peace in the region.
Peace and development are joined at the hip. The sacrifice that has been made to restore, and maintain peace serves as a firm ground to catapult development undertakings. On one hand, Ethiopia strives to promote peace in its neighboring countries. On the other, it is working to turn the peace sustained and created into a growth and development drive. Let us exemplify this; Ethiopia and Kenya enjoyed and supported peace along their common border areas. And they have championed the creation of one-stop-border shop in Moyale to further strengthen ties among themselves. The people in the border towns thrive together and enjoy the peace dividend. The One-Stop-Border-Post (OSBP) cuts time and costs for trucks people, businessmen, tourists and the like. It helps foster the free movement of people and trade. It is another impetus to improve intra-African trade. To cite, the 2019 Ethiopian export to Kenya was estimated at 52 million USD, Ethiopia also imported goods that were valued at almost the same amount during the stated period. With the opening of the OSBD and other measures through the LAPSET project, trade will soon boom. The LAPSET project also integrates Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya.
The recently signed MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland is another venture in the Horn to ‘thrive together’. Both sides benefit their people. Security matters will be much improved. And the vision of integrating Africa economically will gain additional momentum.
These and yet another endeavors that are not mentioned here are practical steps to harness the resources of the Horn. Single-handed efforts will not take us a step forward. Countries of the Horn and even beyond must work jointly in the spirit of pan-Africanism that we inherited from our forefathers/foremothers.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2024
