Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy
Ethiopia, the oldest African country located in the Eastern Africa region was called
the Land of Punt. The first oldest among the kingdom that has been in existent in
Ethiopia was the kingdom of Dʿmt, which had rose to power around the year 980
Before Christ (BC) (BBC, n.d.). In which the capital was called Yeha, where a socalled sabean style temple had been built around 700 Before Christ(BC) although
no evidence of such architecture being found in Yemen. Ethiopia been the only
African country that fought against colonialism from the Europeans during the
ancient days of slavery (GREENSPAN, 2022). Ethiopia's foreign policy has been
shaped by its unique history, culture, and strategic geographic location. With a rich
heritage and deeply ingrained sense of independence, the country has pursued a
foreign policy that is non-aligned and focused on sovereignty and selfdetermination.
Historical Context of Ethiopia's Independence
 Ancient Roots
Ethiopia's history of independence dates back thousands of years, with a rich
tapestry of empires and kingdoms. The Present state of Ethiopia is believed to
emerge during mid-19th centuries with the rule of Emperor Tewodros II. In the very
beginning of the modern Ethiopian state, by establishing the acceptability of the
multiethnic society as a sustainable state, also keeping its territorial sovereignty
and integrity. The Emperor made a foreign policy which would help him unify his
province and unite his power in relation to safeguard his kingdom. During his reign,
the Emperor tried to improve a dynamic foreign policy which will reached out
beyond the Horn of Africa region.
 Defeat of Colonizers
Ethiopia successfully resisted attempts at colonization, defeating Italian forces at
the Battle of Adwa in 1896. Hewett Treaty (1884) with Anglo-Egyptians was one of
the prominent treaties concluded during his rule. King Yohannes had faced strong
external challenges from Mahdists and Italians. After the death of king Yohannes
his successor was king Menelik, who was at the time the king of the eastern part
Abyssinia (Ethiopia). King Menelik started building relations with European
powers particularly the Italians during the him been the king of Shewa, during the
term of Yohannes he was serious competitor. The year 1889, after the death of
Emperor Yohannes then came Menelik as the new Emperor, which brought the
conclusion of the Wuchale Treaty with the Italians in the small town wuchale now
called the Wollo province.
 League of Nations Membership
After the victory at Adwa, Ethiopia's independence was recognized, and it became
a founding member of the League of Nations. One hundred years ago, on 28
September 1923, Ethiopia joined the League of Nations, by becoming the third African
country to do so after South Africa, and Liberia, being the first two countries from
Africa to be members of the league of nations. With the difference being that Ethiopia
was an independent nation, that has never under a colony of a foreign power. Addis
Ababa showed an early interest in this organization, but chose to wait until 1923 for
international legal procedural reasons for them to be able to become a member state.
Factors Contributing to Ethiopia's Resistance to Colonization
 Geography
Ethiopia's mountainous terrain and vast size made it difficult for colonizers
to establish control, it also been a land lock country has also made the
Europeans to have access to the main strong holds of the state. Eritrea which
was one time part of Ethiopia , which they lost to the Italians during the fight
for that territory ending up losing a lot of life’s to the Italian soldiers who had
more arms than the Ethiopian fighters.
 Unity & Leadership
The strong leadership of figures like Emperor Menelik II and the unity of the
Ethiopian people played a crucial role in resisting colonization. Ethiopia
which comprises of Eighteen (18) different trip, having the strong believer of
nationalization and freedom from any external powers. The nation heard
three different kingdoms with Ethiopia itself having different kings, but it was
all under the head of the Emperor who will be giving the commands to the
other kings. During the term of Emperor Yohannes, King Menelik was in
supported by the Italians with the main aim of him going against the
emperor. The Italians helped him with a lot of amination for him to use but
he never, king put nationalism first before the interest of the Italians.
Emperor Menelik ends up using those aminations against the Italian soldiers
in the battle Adwa, which was won by the Ethiopian army being a big
humiliation to the Italian kingdom. Ethiopians where united and willing to
die in protected their country.
Diplomatic Strategies Employed by Ethiopia
 Diplomatic Alliances:
Building strategic partnerships with other African nations and fostering
relations with global powers has been a key strategy for Ethiopia. It has
greater say in the International arena due to the responsibilities it takes in
global issues affecting the world. It has a great relationship with the African
states being part of the African Union with its headquarters located in Addis
Ababa Ethiopia, which comprises of 55-member state countries in Africa. It’s
also a key contributor in the maintaining of peace in the world being among
the largest contributors in the peacekeeping mission in the world.
International Organizations:
It has active engagement with international bodies such as the UN has
allowed Ethiopia to advocate for its interests on a global stage. Ethiopia has
been a great place for settlement for many international organizations by
them opening regional offices in Ethiopia. It comprises of different
international organization like; Food and Agricultural Organization,
International Labor Organization, International Organization for Migration,
African Union. All this office are key players in the international arena, so
them having branches and headquarters in Ethiopia tells a lot about Ethiopia
in the International level.
Impact of Ethiopia's Foreign Policy on Global Relations
Global Influence:
Ethiopia's foreign policy has been instrumental in shaping the dynamics of
African unity and sovereignty. During the colonial era scramble for Africa by
Western powers, it had kept its full sovereignty over western colonial power
and fought the First war between Italy and Ethiopia in the year 1895-96.
Nonetheless, League of nations did not protect in agreement of collective
security of member countries, which resulted the occupation of Ethiopia by
the Italians for the period of 5 years 1936-41.
Peacekeeping Contributions:
Ethiopia's active participation in UN peacekeeping missions has contributed
to global peace and security efforts. It is one of the top troop contributing
countries to the United Nations (UN) and AU peacekeeping mission, with
more than 12,000 peacekeepers on the ground. Ethiopia is the first in African
peacekeeping operations and it’s also one of the leading countries deploying
the highest number of women in peace operation. Ethiopia being among the
highest contributors in the UN peacekeeping mission globally, is a pivotal
state in global peace building which brought the reason for UN having a
central peacekeeping center in Addis Ababa which deals with building and
preparing other officer from other states for peacekeeping missions.
Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities in Ethiopia's Foreign Policy
Economic Growth:
Economic expansion and attracting foreign investment present
opportunities for enhancing Ethiopia's global standing. With a population of
126.5 million in 2023, which is among the two highly populated countries in
Africa Nigeria being first, it has one of the fastest booming economies in
Africa, having estimation of 7.2% of growth in the year 2023. Nonetheless, it
also among the poorest, with a per capita gross national income of $1,020.
It’s main source of economic growth is bases on agriculture them being the
highest and the first producers of coffee, with also a great number of natural
mineral like gold, platinum, iron, lithium, graphite etc. Which has made the
among the richest in mineral resources, but it has also been well control and
protected by the government for the national interest of the state.
Regional Leadership:
As a regional leader, Ethiopia has shape the geopolitical landscape of the
Horn of Africa been the biggest in both territory and economic in that region.
Ethiopia has also been supportive to state in that sub-region by maintaining
peace and also helping them smaller states within its borders. It has play
pivotal role in supporting the Somali govern in try to settle the conflict in that
area, also helping the draught providing food, shelter and medicine with
other needs to those affected areas. It’s a nation that all the seven
neighboring countries always look on for any development, also having a
strong electricity generated from the hydroelectric plan which they are
expand to provide more electricity to the neighboring states for greater
development purposes.
Future Prospects and Goals for Ethiopia's Foreign Policy
Global Partnerships:
Many significant investments into Africa has been sign by the Ethiopian
government, with resend development by the shareholders of Safaricom
Ethiopia which has a great partnership with major investing companies. The
Global Partnership for Ethiopia which includes British International
Investment, Vodafone Group, Vodacom, Safaricom and Sumitomo
Corporation. The Global Partnership for Ethiopia is a branch of the
government system of Ethiopia, which’s main responsibility is the bring big
investors to the country establishing in the country to bring growth in the
economy of the country.
Sustainable Development:
Promoting sustainable development initiatives in collaboration with
international actors. The government is doing all it takes in providing energy
to its neighboring countries in order for the greater benefits of globe and its
sub-region. Energy which plays a pivotal role in any national development
plan.
Challenges
Conflict: The region of Tigray, which is sharing borders with the Eritrea on
the northern part of Ethiopia. The conflict started in November 2020, which
has claimed over thousands of lives in the affected Tigray area. The Tigray
People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which is fighting for the independents of
the people of Tigray who are having a population of over 15 million
comprises with Afar and Amhara people in Tigray. Affecting over 5.5 million
women and children in the conflict area, denying kid the opportunity for
education and their fundamental rights as children.
Poverty: The two-third of the Tigray people are famers who are being
affected through displacement during the conflict and also a loss of crops
for farming, causing a high increase in the poverty rate in the affected area
of Tigray. Farms are also facing challenges on climate change in the region
with too much draught, which has cause a reduction in productions of good
to be consumed. The people of Tigray are being forced to depend of human
aid from international donors for the past years during the conflict which
has really not being enough for the affected people.
CONCLUTION:
Ethiopia’s foreign policy evolved as time come by, which is a standard for
good foreign policy that changes according to the relations and the national
interest of the state. Its policies have kept them in good relations with their
close neighboring states, Eritrea which was one-time part of Ethiopia sharing
a lot in common in tradition and ethnicity. It has a close relation between the
two by them been beneficiary of each other in one way or the other, Eritrea
been a coastal state and Ethiopia a land luck country its uses the ports of
Eritrea in their good transportation and movement. Foreign policies should
always be cross examine properly due to the reason that it has a great goal
in the development of any state.
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References
BBC. (n.d.). BBC News. Retrieved from Ethiopia country profile: https://www.bbc.com/news/worldafrica-13349398
GREENSPAN, J. (2022, Noverber 11). History.com. Retrieved from How Ethiopia Beat Back Colonizers in
the Battle of Adwa: https://www.history.com/news/battle-adwa-ethiopia-africa-colonization