HENOK MERHATSIDK 1.pdf - Addis Ababa University

Abstract
Security is a primary agenda of any state. The same is very true of Ethiopia and Kenya both
of which have under gone several security related factors affecting their bilateral relations.
Apart from pastoral communities located in and around their common border area
competing over natural resources, there are several other factors that affect their relations.
The objective of this research is to unravel the security factors affecting Ethio-Kenyan
relations. Methods used for this research include consultation of available secondary
materials on the issue and interview with resource persons in relevant institutions. Hence, to
compile this research I used both primary and secondary data. In the border areas of
Ethiopia and Kenya, conflict between and among pastoralist communities, competition over
water and pasture lands around the border, cattle rustling, contraband trade, the movement
of OLF around the border in both countries, the influx of Ethiopian refugees in to Kenya are
the major sources of insecurity in the two countries bilateral relations. Relations of the two
countries on the other hand are smooth and based on non-interference in the internal matters
of the other. The research concludes that Ethiopia and Kenya, having palpable security
threat from the failed state of Somalia, used dual strategy for their common security issue
from neighbor Somalia. They hold common position in the peace process of Somalia and
Sudan, and protecting their border from infiltration by various armed groups. Despite the
common efforts of the two countries, to solve conflict between and among their pastoralist
communities, analysis of the research findings show that serious confrontation continue to
exist in the border areas.
v