HENOK MERHATSIDK 1.pdf - Addis Ababa University

CHAPTER SIX
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The study has attempted to describe Ethio-Kenyan security issues: the common
denominators that commanded the actions of the two countries, regional security problems
and their impact in the two countries, what remedy has been prescribed by the two countries
till now, and major challenges and prospects for bolstering Ethio-Kenyan security
cooperation. The major assumption of the study is: Ethio Kenyan security relations are
exemplary for the rest of Horn of African region. These relationships grow up from strong
base laid by the Emperor Haile Sellassie of Ethiopia and President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya.
Despite change of government and ideology, the two countries have maintained their good
state-to-state relations. However, Ethiopia and Kenya share trans-boundary resources, but
they have not endorsed binding legal framework on the use of their common resources. As
far as security threats are concerned, they have strong cooperation.
The security problems of Ethiopia and Kenya are intimately related with their neighboring
countries. As the problems are very complicated, their solutions need strong and continuous
effort by the two countries. One of the major security problems of the two countries is the
issue of Somalia. The two countries have sizable Somali population and they were ones
claimed to join with their ethnic lines in Somalia. When Somalia became a failed state and
war- torn, Somali refugees flooded to Ethiopia and Kenya. Furthermore, radical Islamic Al-
Shabaab group in Somalia has created a link with international terrorist group Al-Qaeda.
Another common security concern of Ethiopia and Kenya is the conflict between and among
the pastoralist communities in and around their common border area. These communities do
not consider crossing the boundary of the other as illegal act. They move along with their
cattle in search of pastureland and water. When they incidentally met with the other side,
they usually fight and cattle raids and many illegal activities result.
The issue of Ogaden has been a security concern of the Ethiopian governments since
Emperor Menelik II incorporated the area to his domain. The present Ethiopian government
is in confrontation with ONLF (Ogaden National Liberation Front.) As chapter four of this
study shows, the issue of Ogaden has many dimensions: the influence of islamist forces in
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