Security issues and governance in the Horn of Africa

The speakers are visiting researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia. In this seminar they will identify security issues in the Greater Horn of Africa area that are fueled by both intra- and inter-state conflicts, examine the interactions between these dimensions and explore potential governance responses to the region's challenges.

The Greater Horn of Africa area

The Horn of Africa proper, as a geographical concept, encompasses the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. The Greater Horn of Africa, as a political concept, includes Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, thereby encompassing all eight member states of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD). 

This region is home to millions of people and holds significant strategic and economic importance. It boasts broad access to the sea, bordered by the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. 

This geographical positioning makes the Horn of Africa a crucial hub connecting three continents: Africa, Europe, and Asia. Due to its strategic significance, the Horn of Africa has attracted the attention of strategic thinkers, leaders, scholars, policymakers and citizens both within the region and beyond. The Bab el Mandeb Strait, along with the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, serves as a major shipping route for goods traveling from the Middle East and the Far East to Europe and the Americas.

Searching for solutions

Much of the discourse surrounding the Horn of Africa highlights its challenges. It is one of the most conflict-ridden and insecure regions in the world. 

Since the end of the colonial period, the area has witnessed interstate wars, disputes, a wide range of intrastate conflicts, cross-border communal violence and terrorism. The Horn of Africa has experienced more interstate wars than any other region on the continent. 

While some observers note its persistent instability, others emphasize the emergence of innovative approaches to managing diversity, state formation, governance and engagement with external cultures. The lack of peace in the Horn can be traced back to a complex interplay of factors, including historical grievances, political economy, state formation processes, international interventions, identity conflicts and environmental changes.