Ethiopia devotes for regional integration! Tesfaye Lemma The major agendas of the government and people of Ethiopian are alleviating poverty and ascertaining sustainable fast economic growth so as to become an economic self reliance. However, this is possible if there are peace and cooperation with neighboring countries, mainly with Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and South Sudan. The country has maximized its diversified cooperation with all of these countries. Recently, Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir visited Ethiopia and met the Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile-Mariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa. They used that opportunity to affirm their commitment to the implementation of their previous agreements to cooperate on various issues and to look for other rooms of cooperation that could benefit the two peoples that is believed to contribute to strengthen people to people relations toward achieving regional economic integration. The two leaders expressed their readiness to hold the Sudanese – Ethiopian meetings at the joint higher, technical committees and steering committees in the coming few months. According to the joint communiqué, President Al-Bashir and the Ethiopian Prime Minister have agreed on the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries which is based on good neighborliness, mutual respect and the development of interests. The talks between the two leaders were held in an atmosphere of fraternity and frankness coping with the historic and fraternal ties between Sudan and Ethiopia. The visit aimed for deepening the original excellent friendly relation and cooperation between the two countries. They affirmed that they shared identical views on the bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Ethiopia’s effort to create strong economic integration in the Horn Region is commendable. Due to Ethiopia’s tremendous efforts and results it achieved so far, the international community has not only recognized it, but also recommended other African countries to follow Ethiopia.
One of the most significant indications is the efforts that Ethiopia has exerted in creating trade, infrastructure and security cooperation with Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya and South Sudan, which is a good start to benefit the people in the region as it could integrate them economically.
Some economic analysts argued that Ethiopia’s all-rounded efforts to create regional integration are a real manifestation for the African Free Trade Zone that, the African Union has planned to meet. Ethiopia’s leading role in expanding infrastructure has especially been contributing to the boosting of the credibility and trustworthiness of the country.
It is evident that, the investment relationship between the two countries has been strengthened. Available documents indicated that among 800 Sudanese investors licensed to do businesses in Ethiopia, 200 have begun operation so far. Besides, Ethiopia’ has been exporting to Sudan a large amount of sesame.
On the other hand, road and electric supply projects between Ethiopia and Kenya are being speeded up in a bid to transform their cooperation in trade and investment. The cooperation treaties signed by the two countries to improve the low level of economic relation are being implemented. Common market centers are also being established along borders not only between Ethiopia and Kenya but also between Ethiopia and other countries in the Horn Region.
Similarly, road and railway works between these countries are well in progress. It is also evident that the economic relation between Ethiopia and Djibouti has almost reached at an exemplary stage. The construction of the Ethio-Djibouti railway would enhance economic integration of the two countries is undergoing without any snag.
The efforts that Ethiopia has been exerting to create a huge economic integration among countries in the Horn Region are so recommendable. Besides, the country has been working hard to ensure peace and stability in the region as peace has a direct effect on the economic development of any country.
It is also evident that, the efforts in creating strong economic integration and peace in the region could play to foster a significant role in creating social integration of the people in the region. The country’s effort to expand road networks, electric power supply and other infrastructural development in the region attest to this sincere endeavor. Ethiopia has been providing Electric power to Djibouti and Sudan and it has also been doing its level best to connect all countries in the region.
The country has also been working closely with neighboring countries to create stable and terror free region as well as to settle conflicts between boarder people of neighboring countries.
The effort that Ethiopia exerted could contribute a significant role to the regional block that is carrying out extensive activities to realize the economic vision of the continent. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development said it has been implementing various activities that could be exemplary for other regions in enhancing economic integration.
The ongoing constructions of cross-border roads and railways as well as electricity connectivity are among the manifestations of IGAD’s efforts for economic integration.
IGAD region has the highest rate of roads to asphalt standards that connect capitals and countries in the IGAD region than any other. Energy connectivity to Sudan, Djibouti and now to Kenya from Ethiopia is there. The growing trade relations among IGAD countries further cited the trade exchanges between Ethiopia and Kenya, and Ethiopia and Djibouti as examples.
Ethiopia shares borders with Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. It has been working day in day out to integration. It changed its own history of diplomatic isolation.
The country has maintained a long diplomatic history and extensive experience in foreign relations. It formulated an inward looking foreign policy geared towards the promotion of national interest reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. The country provided basic infrastructure in four industrial cluster zones, renewing focus on natural resource and raw material industries. Ethiopia is already contributing to Africa’s economic integration through its Airlines Business Enterprise. Ethiopian on one hand connected African countries to each other and to the world promoting fast investment and trade interactions into the continent. Besides, it has been helping African Airlines through training and capacity building. The country is strict to realize the economic integration as it envisioned to join the middle income countries in the shortest possible time. This could be done if all countries in the region are integrated economically. This is possible if and only peace and stability is guaranteed. Recognition of that fact, the government of Ethiopia has been exerting a consolidated effort to integrate the region.