Quest for Peace in the Horn of Africa
Megan Arendt (LHSF Associate Director of Summit Affairs & Outreach) and Ashley Buchanan (LHSF Intern) attended The Quest for Peace in the Horn of Africa Conference on May 24, 2011 in Washington, D.C. hosted by the Organization of Eritrean Americans. The Purpose of the conference was to educate attendees on the long history of betrayals and injustice against the people of Eritrea, while also celebrating 20 years of independence.
Brief Independence Overview: Eritrea was made an Ethiopian region on Nov. 14, 1962. A civil war broke out against the Ethiopian government, which was led by rebel groups who opposed the union and wanted independence for Eritrea. The fighting continued over the next 32 years. In 1991, Eritrea won the liberation war, and May 24th was a celebration of their 20th Independence Day.
Panelists: 1.) Dr. Asgede Hagos (Professor at Delaware State University) spoke on
“US, Eritrea, Ethiopia: The Past is Prologue”
- discussed decisions that the US and Ethiopia were making which impacted Eritrea’s future without any Eritreans present.
- US should not depend on single anchor country in North Africa. US policy doesn’t change much with administration, as it should.
2.) Dr. Ghidewon Abay Asmerom (Professor at Virginia Commonwealth
University) spoke on “The Eritrea Ethiopia Border Case and Its Impact on Peace and Security for the Horn of Africa”
- discussed the timeline of the Eritrea’s borders, rivers & general history
- should not follow Ethiopia’s idea of zero-sum game – need long term view and to see overall regional benefits
3.) Dr. Berthe Habtegiogis (Professor at Rowan University) spoke on “The
Militarization of US Foreign Policy for the Horn of Africa”
- told personal stories of growing up in colonization and under Ethiopian rule
- Ethiopia holds influence over AU as host country