REGIONAL COOPERATION ON PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND SOMALILAND: INQUIRY INTO OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the issues related to the challenges and opportunities in the existing regional cooperation between Ethiopia and Somaliland on peace and development. To achieve the objective of the paper, the researcher used an in-depth interviews for information gathering from different areas of the two countries, particularly, Ministry of foreign affairs of Ethiopia and Somaliland. In addition, scholars who engaged in the study of peace and development with regard to Ethiopia and Somaliland were consulted. Moreover, key informants including political figures, academicians, security personnel, journalists and business communities both in Ethiopia and Somaliland were interviewed. Besides, the paper referred and analyzed secondary data relevant to the study. According to the finding of this study Ethio-Somali land working together on areas of cross border trade, technical cooperation and capacity building. The potential for the Ethio-Somaliland cooperation to grow into high level of regional cooperation on peace and development is catalyzed and constrained by both internal and external factors. The potential of hydro power connection, the cross border social connections, existence of peaceful relations and pragmatic mutual demand of the two countries are vital factors to catalyze their cooperation and positively motivate peace and development in the Horn of Africa. However, lack of better infrastructures, the low level of development and nature of the governments of the two countries, conflicts in the region, as well as influences of extra-regional bodies pose constrain on the prospects of promoting cooperation between the two countries on peace and development as well as the sub region as a whole. Therefore, important care must be taken by individual states as well as regional bodies to strengthen and expand the catalysts and minimize the constraints in order to encourage regional cooperation on peace and development between Ethiopia and Somaliland as well as in the Horn of Africa.