الدور السياسي لمنظمة الوحدة الإفريقية في حل النزاع الإثيوبي الإريتري (1998-2000م): (دراسة تقييمية)

Abstract

This research deals with the political role of the Organization of African Unity in resolving the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea between 1998 and 2000. An armed conflict broke out between the two countries which has been described as the most brutal war the Horn of Africa has known in recent years. Both sides have mobilized more than a quarter of a million troops, using both land and air-based weapons. Both countries have suffered many human and material losses. In the meantime, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) launched political initiatives to mediate between the two parties in order to find a solution to this problem, which lasted for 26 months. This study is based on the hypothesis that there are gaps in the work of the organization because of the length of the duration of the war between the two parties, with the sharpness of the organization in the arena and could not stop it. The research therefore examined the roots of the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict and its political and military motives. The research also evaluates the Organization of African Unity (OAU), its administrative capacity, legal initiatives, as well as sheds light on the mediation process between the two countries. The research uses the analytical methodology to understand the events. It also looks at the objectives of the organization in the mediation, which was to stop the war first, and then establish security and stability in the conflict zone, and then normalize relations between the two countries, and subsequently reach a specific result. The researcher concluded that the organization has succeeded in the mediation relatively, but it suffers from internal weaknesses of itself, such as the existence of the principle of respect for the limits inherited from European colonialism in the Charter of the Organization. The organization therefore is unable to carry out an integrated mediation process (political, military and economic). The organization also remains dependent on others, militarily and economically. As a result, these gaps have affected negatively the political function and performance of the organization in the mediation process.