Institute for Security Studies, Africa-based research institute
SITUATION REPORT: The Eritrea-Djibouti Border Dispute
Complete report is available at the link.
15 September 2008
Berouk Mesfin
From the Introduction:
The objective of this situation report is to provide timely and relevant information
and analysis on the border dispute that recently broke out between Eritrea and
Djibouti. The facts at hand being fragmented, it is too early and difficult to provide
a definite judgement on the diverse set of factors that caused the border dispute,
its exact course, and long-term implications for bilateral relations and regional
security. Yet, some significant observations can be made on some of the most
important issues involved.
This report comprises three sections. In the first section, relations between Eritrea
and Djibouti since 1991 are described, including prior border disputes. In the
second section, the colonial source of the border dispute is traced and details are
given of its course. The third section examines the most significant and recent
developments which lie at the centre of the lack of peace and security in the
Horn of Africa, where the present borders were arbitrarily established at the
end of the nineteenth century by treaties drawn up by the British, Italian and
French colonial powers. Finally, the report provides a conclusion and a number of
recommendations to find a durable basis for peaceful relations between the two
states.
It is important to note at the outset that the terms Eritrea, Djibouti or Ethiopia
used in this report for the purpose of convenience refer primarily to the group of
decision-makers who, by virtue of their governmental position, have the power to
make decisions binding on the populations of their respective states and commit
their resources.
