Ethiopian and Eritrea have been in a stalemate over the last sixteen years ever since the end in 2000 of the two-year bloody war they fought. This state of “neither war nor peace” apparently has had a devastating effect on the peoples of both nations and unpleasant ramifications for nearby states. The armies of the two sides have engaged in several skirmishes during the long standoff.
The latest clash saw the countries exchange heavy fire at their disputed last Sunday. As usual apart from pointing figures at each other no casualty figures or the estimated value of property damage was disclosed by either side. History has shown that an impasse is not in the interest of both countries. This is why we believe they have no option but to draw lessons from the past and commit themselves to seeking a lasting peace accord.
Last month Eritrea celebrated its twenty-fifth year independence anniversary. The fanfare with which the celebrations were held belie the dire state the country is in. The widespread and systematic crimes against humanity that the increasingly tyrannical Asmara regime has committed over the past 25 years have forced its citizens to flee in droves to Europe and other parts of the world. The number of Eritreans undertaking a perilous journey across the Mediterranean in search of a better life is on par with that of the citizens of war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Many in the international community refer to the Eritrean government as the North Korea of Africa on account of the egregious human rights violations and brutal repression it has perpetrated and willfully continues to do so.
The UN Security Council has repeatedly imposed sanctions and embargos on Eritrea citing the numerous infractions of its government. And last week a new report by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, which accused the dictatorial Eritrean regime of committing crimes against humanity, called for the international community to take steps, including using the International Criminal Court, national courts and other available mechanisms to ensure there is accountability for the atrocities being committed in Eritrea. This is the strongest of the slew of criticisms that the UN has delivered against Eritrea. Nonetheless the Eritrean population continues to be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment at the hand of their own government.
The belligerence of the Asmara regime is not directed at its citizens alone, though. It is bent on destabilizing Horn of Africa countries. Numerous reports commissioned by different entities have affirmed that it is mired up to its eyeball in illegally funding and arming the Somalia-based jihadist al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda-linked Islamic insurgent battling the internationally recognized government in Somalia. It also backs groups which have gripes with other countries of the region against whom it had a falling out. Though it has been cast out as a pariah state as a result of these breaches of international norms, it is unwilling to desist from undermining the region’s stability.
On the contrary, Ethiopia is relatively more peaceful and stable than Eritrea. And it has been registering one of the fastest economic growth over the past decade globally, a fact attested by the likes of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Needless to say this does not imply that the nation is a bed of roses; it still is afflicted by rampant corruption, miscarriage of justice and other forms of bad governance that have prevented its economy from growing at an even faster pace.
Ethiopia was unable to achieve a sustainable economic growth prior to the last decade owing to a raft of internal and external factors. Chief among these is the 1998-2000 Ethio-Eritrea war which exacted a severe humanitarian and economic toll on the warring sides. We believe Eritrea should be able to enjoy the peace and stability Ethiopia is blessed with. This can be realized when the two countries sit down and negotiate a win-win settlement that not only heals wounds, but also lays the foundation for deeper ties.
The peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea have centuries of brotherly relations. They lived as one people for eons until 1991 and share similar languages, religion and culture. Such a bond actually makes the reconciliation between the two nations a lot easier. If the impasse cannot be resolved at some point, there is no doubt the type of conflict that broke out last week is bound to recur and even escalate to a full-scale war that may well exacerbate the crisis besetting the region by creating a fertile ground for terrorism and reversing the hard-fought political and economic gains made over the years. As always the brunt of the conflict will be borne by the innocent and the vulnerable. War is a lose-lose proposition which never fails to wreak havoc on the sides involved. In cognizance of this fact, therefore, the governments of countries and regional states as well as the international community need to ramp up efforts to break the deadlock and bring about a lasting peace. This will go a long way towards ensuring the stabilization and prosperity of the entire Horn region.
