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Eritrea’s ceaseless feud with neighboring countries
Tesfaye Lemma
Recently Djibouti asked the African Union to deploy observers along its disputed border with Eritrea. This happened following the withdrawal of the Qatari peace-keeping troops some three weeks ago who were deployed in 2008 when a dispute arose between the two neighboring countries and pulled out without any warning that Djibouti has proposed to the African Union to take over the disputed area quickly.
Following Qatari’s leave, Eritrea has occupied the disputed Dumeira area along the borders of the two countries. Despite the call from the African Union both sides to restraint from disputing activities, Eritrea failed to respond to the request.
It is well read as a book that the Eritrean government has been destabilizing peace in the Horn Region, as it has already been engaged in consistent conflict with all of its neighboring countries: Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Eritrea’s recent aggression against Djibouti could, by no means, be a surprise as the history of that state since 1991 is full of aggravation and conflicts. But the current action by the Eritrean government brought a desirous impact on the entire region for the countries in the Horn of Africa have been moving forward well for economic integration.
It seems gloomy for the Horn Region. No one knows what the state in Asmara will do next. And in fact no one knows the intention of that government in conquering the area.
Many analysts argue that the state in Eritrea was quick to move its troops to the disputed area between and raised tensions in the region once again that might impacted the struggle to alleviate poverty by those countries around it.
Ethiopia has been trying to push for regional integration while Eritrea appears worrying factor to disintegrating the region as it had been doing previously. Its provocative act of moving troops to the disputed territory with Djibouti has to be watched carefully and there should be a strict measure upon that rogue state.
That country has been adding fuel to the ongoing crisis in the region by arming insurgents. The situation in Somalia and South Sudan is a live witness. Despite efforts to ease conflicts and ensure lasting peace in the region, the state in Asmara never cease its destabilizing efforts.
While Ethiopia along with other peace loving countries have been trying to restore peace and stability in the region, the regime in Asmara for long has been exploiting every opportunity to destabilize the region and jeopardize regional economic development.
Now that the economic ties among countries in the region has been growing from time to time while at the point the Eritrean government concentrated on another conflict escalating activity. The economic relation between Ethiopia and Djibouti has almost reached a point of climax. In fact, any kind of aggression against any of the countries in the Horn Region could highly impact any of the countries in the region.
The economic integration has grown well with Ethiopia’s 95 percent import-export passing through the port of Djibouti that such kinds of incursion could be direct concern of all countries around.
Djibouti as member of the African Union and the intergovernmental bloc IGAD should be backed when its territory is occupied by a state known for its conflict aggravating activities for the past twenty five years. All member countries should come together and help Djibouti to maintain its sovereignty.
Ethiopia has issued statement calling two countries for calm and restraint. However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced recently that it is closely following the matter and will come up with any further measure or stand depending on the reports the AU deployed Fact Finding Group would come up.
It is vivid that the belligerent behavior of the state in Asmara is nothing but attention diversion mechanism to settle its deteriorating internal political, economic and social matters. That country has had skirmishes and fractured its relations with almost all neighboring countries. Its recent aggression is nothing but a desperate attempt to heal the rifts between the ruling group and the people of Eritrea.
While waiting for the union’s measure, Ethiopia needs to work closely with international and continental blocs to find diplomatic solution.
The country should also use its leverage as a non-permanent member emboldens the UN Security council to be tough in Eritrea; not only for its aggression against Djibouti but also to its years of destabilizing role in the region.
It is also advisable for the African union Commission to make a policy change in its handling conflicting situations. It needs to reconsider aggressive activities seriously and fix a binding regulation that could give power for the union to react immediately for such destabilizing activities.
