Ethio-Eritrean Rapprochement and Its Implication for Regional Cooperation and Integration in the Horn of Africa

Abstract

One of the new improvements in the Horn of Africa is the internal political reform in Ethiopia and the rapprochement between the two nations. The purpose of this research is to examine the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the implication for regional integration in the HoA. The relationship between the Horn countries has been characterized as hostile and dominantly by mutual interference and proxy war. The paper has attempted to accomplish this goal by examining regional integration, which has been a component of the African strategy to combat fragmentation and strengthen the continent's position in the global political economy. IGAD, as the regional organization, was rearranged in 1986, with integration as the key focus area. Accordingly, in terms of research methodology, a qualitative approach was employed. Primary and secondary data are used in an investigation. Theories like Functionalism, NeoFunctionalism, realism and institutionalism were used to support the analysis. Generally, the study finding reveals that the internal political reform in Ethiopia has brought closer relationships and might make it easier for the Horn countries to integrate as a region.