The relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia has been strained at best, since the end of the Eritrean-Ethiopian Border War. Recent border skirmishes between the two countries have raised concerns with the United Nations (U.N.) that another war could breakout. The United States (U.S.) has had a strong interest in the area for over a century, and more importantly, has close ties with Ethiopia. The recent hostilities have been provoked by Ethiopia and, with Eritrea asking the U.N. for help in the matter, the U.S. needs to step back and assess both sides of the matter in order to aid in the peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two countries.
The history of Eritrea is tied to its location on the Red Sea. Throughout history, especially since the opening of the Suez Canal, Eritrea has been invaded numerous times because of its strategic location on the Red Sea and because of its mineral resources. After the opening of the Suez Canal, many European powers raced to gain territory along the African Red Sea and Indian Ocean coastlines in order to establish ports for their trade routes. Italy officially colonized Eritrea in 1890 and along with Ethiopia and Somalia became known as the Italian East Africa. During World War II, the British expelled the Italians from Africa through the Battle of Keren, and in 1951, Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia, which eventually led to its annexation as an Ethiopian province in 1952. Following a 30-year war, Eritrea gained independence and international recognition in 1993.
In May 1998, Eritrea crossed over the Ethiopian border attacking Tigrayan militia and security forces in the Badme region. This hostile act sparked the Eritrean-Ethiopian War. Upon realization that they were going lose...
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...adme: bitter warfare continues along the Eritrea-Ethiopia border. Boundary and Security Bulliten .
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The impact of the Structural Adjustment Programs imposed by International Financial Intuitions (IFIs) such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on the developing countries of Africa has led to the destruction of Africa’s social sectors and has handicapped Africa in its fight with poverty, the AIDS pandemic, and keeping children in school.
There have been many famines that have greatly impacted Ethiopia. One of the famine that is very famous in Ethiopian history and World history is known as the Great Famine. Due to the lack of the support of the government and other organizations, about one million people died of starvation. The conditions of Ethiopia in the beginning of 1984 were not well. “The Ethiopian government predicted that the agricultural yield of the nation was going to be considerably lower in at the beginning of 1984 because there had been less rainfall than expected. However, preventive measures were not taken by either the government or the rest of the world to prevent the mass starva...
Since Germany had now violated the Treaty of Versailles, Britain, France, and Italy gathered at Strea in Italy to discuss a course of action. Britain and France’s main concern was to keep Italy in opposition to the Germans. When Italy decided to attack Ethiopia, Britain was torn between avoiding war or endorsing the unprovoked attack. They left it up to the League of Nations to make the decision. In this deci...
The United Nations General Assembly 36-103 focused on topics of hostile relations between states and justification for international interventions. Specifically mentioned at the UNGA was the right of a state to perform an intervention on the basis of “solving outstanding international issues” and contributing to the removal of global “conflicts and interference". (Resolution 36/103, e). My paper will examine the merits of these rights, what the GA was arguing for and against, and explore relevant global events that can suggest the importance of this discussion and what it has achieved or materialized.
In this section, I will provide a brief history of U.S. military involvement on the African continent, starting with the Barbary Wars and working up through the current date. This historical documentation will highlight the change in the role the United States has played in Africa [post 9-11???]. Prior to 9-11, the United States’ interactions were mainly [capture summary here]. Since [?], however, the continent has faced a marked increase in violent extremism and terrorism leading the United States to partner with many African nations in counterterrorism initiatives. These, and other initiatives, mean an increasing number U.S. service members are deploying to Africa to take part in training, humanitarian issues and military operations. These military activities are run by United States African Command, a recently created combatant command.
Throughout the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, almost every country in Africa was imperialized by other countries in Europe. To imperialize is to conquer another country, whether it be in the means of politics, economics and/or culture, and control that land. The aftermath for the imperialized country was either beneficial or harmful. The amount of African countries that a European country imperialized varied. Great Britain imperialized fifteen countries in Africa, including Egypt in 1882, Sierra Leone in 1808, and the Union of South Africa in 1910. Although Great Britain’s reasons to imperialize were selfish, Britain helped each country progress afterwards.
Africa has been an interesting location of conflicts. From the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea to the revolutionary conflict in Libya and Egypt, one of the greatest conflicts is the Rwandan Genocide. The Rwandan Genocide included two tribes in Rwanda: Tutsis and Hutus. Upon revenge, the Hutus massacred many Tutsis and other Hutus that supported the Tutsis. This gruesome war lasted for a 100 days. Up to this date, there have been many devastating effects on Rwanda and the global community. In addition, many people have not had many acknowledgements for the genocide but from this genocide many lessons have been learned around the world.
Ethiopia is a completely landlocked country. Access to the Red Sea is blocked its former autonomous region, Eritrea, which is located to the north of this country. The small country of Djibouti is located to Ethiopia’s northern borders, alongside Eritrea. Preventing access to the Indian Ocean is Somalia on Ethiopia’s eastern border. Lying on Ethiopia’s southern border is Kenya. On the south western border sits South Sudan and Sudan covers the north western border (Ofcansky and Berry).
In the Africa, lies the country Somalia, which is located on east coast of the continent. Its capital, Mogadishu, however has inconveniently brought its own problems, from colonization to politics, disagreements arise, causing tension throughout the country. Somalia’s historical background and culture ultimately lead to the war in its capital, it lead to the War of Mogadishu.
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Yahia, Mohammed. 2013. Leaked Report Sparks Disagreement Between Egypt and Ethiopia Over Dam. July 11. http://www.nature.com/nmiddleeast/2013/130711/full/nmiddleeast.2013.99.html.