Background
Ethiopia and Sudan share a long border. Like many borders in Africa, the border between the two countries was delimited in 1902 and agreement was signed between Ethiopia and the British, as Sudan was under the British colony then. In 1903, a British General unilaterally demarcated the border which was rejected by the Ethiopian government. In 1972 the Foreign Ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia exchanged a note to amicably solve the border disputes and that note was deposited at the UN as an official document.
Efforts have been made to address the border issue and the two governments established a joint bilateral mechanism in which a joint Border Commission and Technical and Special committees were formed. Several rounds of negotiations have been conducted in an atmosphere of friendship and good neighbourliness. While the negotiation was well under way, to the regret of many, the Sudanese military, in a total disregard and violation of international law, occupied Ethiopian territory. Many mind boggling questions surely come to someone who knows the strong relation between the people and the past and present governments of the two countries. Why now? Why does Sudan disregard the ongoing mechanism and opt for a means that cannot bring lasting solution to the problem? Most importantly, whose interest will be served and what are the implications and consequences such act will bring to both countries and the region? Of course, nobody could better answer these questions than the Sudanese themselves, but it is not difficult to make an intelligent guess.
The occupation by Sudanese military of the effectively administrated Ethiopian territory took many by surprise. And for Ethiopians, it was shocking and disturbing news because the Sudanese leaders took advantage of Ethiopia’s preoccupation with its internal conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia. That explains very well, why now. To send a military to occupy a sovereign nation’s territory at a time your neighbour is grappling with a domestic challenge is not only opportunistic but unfriendly act and indeed not a sign of good neighbourliness. It is also disturbing because it violates international law and the joint mechanism put in place by the two sides.
Current Situation
The border issue between the two countries has been under consideration through the joint mechanism established by the sides. But, as they say, history repeats itself; Sudan committed such unfriendly and unneighbourly act against Ethiopia on several occasions in the past when Ethiopia was confronted with its internal challenges. The Sudanese military looted and destroyed property and also displaced civilians from their farms. The most serious damage of this action is the scar of mistrust it leaves on the friendship between the two countries. It should, however, be clear that the trust and friendship and bond of link between the peoples of Sudan and Ethiopia will not be affected by the action of the military and those who commended it. This is not the first time such an act was directed against Ethiopia. What national interest of Sudan and that of the region will be served by such unholy attack? Only the Sudanese can tell. However, it is not lost to any one, that no Sudanese interest will be preserved in such a manner, nor will it serve the interest of the region.
The flexing of muscle by the Sudanese military and the message of threat is not constructive at all. Ethiopia has a military too that not only protect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and independence but paid heavy sacrifices in serving peace and stability of its neighbouring countries including the Sudan and far beyond. No one can bear witness than Sudan to what the Ethiopian national defence forces have contributed both in Darfur and Abyei. It is intriguing that aggression becomes the favour Ethiopia gets in return from Sudan. But history will be a good judge, no doubt it will judge fairly.
The continued provocation on the side of the Sudan is putting Ethiopia’s patience and restraint under a test. The government of Ethiopia has a constituency, the people of Ethiopia, to whom it is answerable and responsible for. There is an extent to which one can bend but not to the extent of breaking. If Sudan’s stubbornness sustains and if Ethiopia is forced to respond in kind, the consequence will be grave and will not be limited to the two countries but to the region which is already fragile. Can the region have that luxury and can it afford it? In the 21st century, it is give and take, dialogue and cooperation that is required and not confrontation.
The way forward
The Horn of Africa has long suffered from internal and regional conflicts. Both Sudan and Ethiopia have enough on their plates of managing the transaction. Ethiopia’s firm commitment to resolve the matter through the established joint mechanism is wise and commendable, provided that Sudan reverse its occupation and redeploy the military to where it was before November 6, 2020. The type of attitude displayed by some quarters in Sudan lacks seriousness. Ethiopia will not accept to sit down for negotiation when its territory is occupied by force. This is adding insult to the injury. The only thing the Sudanese can do to heal the wound is by paving the way for amicable solution to the border tension they created in the first place.
Sudan and Ethiopia are the two largest countries in the horn of Africa who can immensely contribute to the peace, stability and development of the region if they both team up together. Both should aim for integration, joint development projects and fighting poverty and leading the two friendly peoples of Ethiopia and Sudan to lasting peace and prosperity.
The region has enough challenges in its hands. Both Ethiopia and Sudan are grappling with the effects of Pandemic, and both managing very delicate transition. What is really the rationale for picking up a quarrel that, by no means will solve the border problem. Hope wisdom and reason prevail in Khartoum and the existing and workable mechanism once again reinstated to conclude the job.
By: Embassy of Ethiopia, Beijing
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Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing 