Instability in the Horn of Africa an assessment of the Ethiopia-Eritrean conflict

This thesis analyzes instability in the Horn of Africa focusing specifically to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border conflict fought between the two countries in 1998-2000. It provides a historical background of both countries, and how they were influenced by external actors and subsequent federation of Eritrea into Ethiopia in 1950. The study then examines the termination of Eritrean federation, which sparked the emergence of secession movements culminating to Eritrea's independence in 1993. Among the notable findings of the study are that the two countries signed a total of twenty-five protocols by September 1993, which included among other things, a joint defense pact and trade agreements but were not implemented. Economic and border incompatibilities served as sources of tension between the two countries. Despite the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the African Union and the international community have failed to resolve this conflict, and it remains a potential flashpoint in the Horn of Africa. The recommendations include pursuing a political compromise over the symbolic village of Badme and placing it under the sovereignty of a condominium administered by both states and then addressing other sources of interdependence. Additionally, the international community needs to pressurize both countries to fully democratize.http://archive.org/details/instabilityinhor109455236Kenya Army authorApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited