HENOK MERHATSIDK 1.pdf - Addis Ababa University

The information gathered from different sources shows that, the Ogaden region is in state of
conflict and the Ethiopian government chooses to dialogue with one faction of the ONLF,
while fighting with the other. This Political strategy is not helpful since war in the region
continued by another faction. The past histories show that no people can be ruled by force.
Therefore, the Ethiopian government should be abided by law. It has to implement the right
granted by the constitution to all Ethiopian peoples in general and the Ogaden in particular.
As the main security threat for Ethiopia and Kenya emanated from Somalia, the two
countries need to work their assignment inside their territory. Lack of good governance,
corruption, nepotism are prominent factors in grievances of the citizens and finally it could
lead to collapse of regimes.
4.3.2. Contraband Trade
The economic relations between Ethiopia and Kenya is weak, a lot of work remains to
facilitate the trade relations of the two countries. One of the reasons for such a weak
economic relation is lack of infrastructure. Another pertinent reason is different economic
policies of the two states and Kenya’s membership to the WTO while Ethiopia is still in
process. 7 Finally the movement of anti peaces forces in Ethio-Kenya border and Occasional
conflict between pastoral societies around their common border has negative effect for
accentuating better economic relations of the two countries. Even though the political
relationship between Ethiopia and Kenya has been healthy, the economic relationship has
lagged behind. According to MOI (2002:29-101):
Kenya has faced a series of economic difficulties in the last ten years that
weakened its economy. But it certainly enjoyed better development than
others in our region and still does. Even though, it faced various political
problems aggravated by its troubled economy, Kenya is basically a peace
full country. Kenya follows Ethiopia and the Sudan in terms of population
but has a comparatively larger market. However, the economic ties
between Ethiopia and Kenya are weak and hobbled by contraband.
The absence of strong trade relations between the two countries, result in contraband trade as
an alternative to fill the gap created by loss of market for the communities around the border
area. Contraband trade has many demerits among others: the government loss tax revenue
7 Interview with Masimba Laban, a Kenyan origin, working in AU on 3/1/2011.
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