U.S. Role in Ending the Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict

Foreign Policy published on 12 July 2018 a commentary titled "Trump Needs to Close the Deal in the Horn of Africa," by Daniel Runde, Center for Strategic and International Studies.


The author argues that the United States has an outsized role in the Horn of Africa and this is an historic opportunity to ensure that peace and normalization of relations take place between Ethiopia and Eritrea. While I agree that the United States should do everything appropriately possible to encourage this development, I believe the author has an exaggerated view of U.S. influence in the region. So long as Ethiopia and Eritrea themselves are sincerely trying to end this dispute, it may be more appropriate for outside powers to remain on the sidelines unless assistance is requested by both parties.