The Ethio-djibouti Relations Implications Ffr Sub-regional Integration Schemes In The Horn Of Afrca

This study aimed to analyze the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti, and itsrnimplications for sub-regional integration scheme in the Horn of Africa. In order to achievernthis objective, the thesis has tried to link the concepts of interstate relations and regionalrnintegration, analyzed the historical relations between the two countries and the ups andrndowns that their relations have faced in the due course of its process, outlined the regionalrnintegration schemes in the Horn of Africa, identified the key issues in the Ethio-Djiboutirnrelations and how they could fit to the integration arrangements. Finally, the thesis came uprnwith some ideas that indicate the implications for sub-regional integration efforts in thernHorn of Africa.rnEthiopia and Djibouti have strong relationships. Historically Ethiopia used to claimrnunification with Djibouti during the Emperor Haile Selassie. However, with coming tornpower of Derg, Ethiopia renounced its claim over Djibouti and recognized the independentrnexistence of the country in the subregion. Therefore when Djibouti became independent fromrnFrance rule in 1977, Ethiopia was among the first countries to welcome the birth of the newrnstate. The formal diplomatic relation between the two countries was established in 1984.rnEven though their relationships has been good throughout the periods, the Ethio-Djiboutirnrelationships have been transformed to higher level of cooperation and interdependencernafter the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia of 1998-2000. Ethiopia’s heavy dependence onrnDjibouti’s port for its international business transactions, following the war, has motivatedrnthe two countries linkages in other areas. Currently, they are tied to each others in variousrnways including; port use, transport, communications, trade and investment, security issues,rnelectric power and potable water.rnDepending on qualitative examination of texts and semi-structured interviews, the study hasrnassessed the implication of the contemporary relationships between Ethiopia and Djiboutirnon the realization of subregional integration in the Horn of Africa. From the angle ofrnregional integration schemes in the subregion, the Ethio-Djibouti relationships reveals thernweakness of the regional institutions such as IGAD and COMESA in coordinating activitiesrnof member states to foster regional integration. Even though harmonious with regionalrnintegration arrangements in the subregion, the contemporary Ethio-Djibouti relations arernmainly independent initiatives of the two countries based on their own pragmaticrncalculations outside the institutional frameworks of regional organizations. The conclusionrnof the thesis indicates that the two countries relationships have a positive implication for thernsubregional integration schemes in the Horn of Africa as essential benchmark up on which arnregion wide integration could be built. Indeed, the study has identified the opportunities andrnchallenges for the potential of the Ethio-Djibouti relationships to grow to higher level ofrneconomic and political integration as well as the positive lessons to be drawn from the two countries’ relations for the countries in the subregion in the process of promotingrnsubregional integration.rn_____________________rnKey words: African Union, COMESA, Djibouti,Ethiopia, foreign policy, Horn of Africa,rnIGAD, interstate relations, regional integration

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