Scramble in the Horn

Landlocked Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country with more than 96 million people. Conflict lingers between Ethiopia and Eritrea since the latter obtained independence in 1993. “The fighting that broke out at the Ethiopia-Eritrea border on 12 June, reportedly involving artillery and tanks, resulting in hundreds killed and wounded, has highlighted how old-fashioned power politics has not disappeared, and can still pose a threat and risk scuppering progress made in the region through the more diplomatic channels of economic integration,” reports James Jeffrey for NewAfrican. He adds that Ethiopia turned to Djibouti as a more reliable trade partner though regional instability remains: “In the past, Ethiopia helped South Sudanese rebels because Khartoum was assisting the Eritrean Liberation Front, while more recently Eritrea supplied weapons to Somali Islamist groups fighting Ethiopian troops.” The CIA estimates annual GDP per capita at $2300 for Djibouti, $1,800 for Ethiopia and $1300 for Eritrea. Conflict pushes human rights and economic prosperity to the side, though Jeffrey concludes that cooperation and development in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland offer “reason for cautious optimism.” – YaleGlobal

Scramble in the Horn

Lingering conflict between landlocked Ethiopia and next-door Eritrea has potential to spread, threatens regional development and stability
James Jeffrey
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
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