Resolving the Ethiopia-Eritrea Dispute

African Arguments posted on 13 June 2018 a commentary titled "How Ethiopia and Eritrea Can Forge a New Relationship" by Herman J. Cohen, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Cohen suggests the following four point plan:

--A mutual security guarantee,
--Re-open the border for trade,
--Restore access to Eritrean ports, and
--Remove sanctions against Eritrea.

Eritrea and Ethiopia: Beyond the Impasse

London's Chatham House published in April 2014 an analysis titled "Eritrea and Ethiopia: Beyond the Impasse" by Jason Mosley.  The analysis argues that opportunities exist for external efforts to foster improved relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia.  A fresh approach should involve engagement with each country individually, rather than immediate attempts to promote dialogue between them.

While any movement that helps normalize relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea would be a positive development, my own reading is that neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea is interested in taking those steps which might result in improved relations.