Mehari T. Maru and Abel Abate Demissie
This paper examines Ethiopia’s policy on the African Union (AU), and its predecessor—the OAU both as founding member and hosting nation. By defining what constitutes a grand strategy, as opposed to an ad hoc approach in pursuing national interest in a multilateral setting, the paper attempts to answer seven fundamental questions: (i) Has Ethiopia ever had a grand strategy regarding the OAU/AU, and if so, what are or were the main tenants of such a grand strategy or policy? (ii) Are there points of convergence and divergence in the policies of the three regimes of Emperor Haile Selassie, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn in respect of their policies toward the OAU/AU? (iii) Which of Ethiopia’s state institutions currently guide and formulate policies and decisions with regard to the AU and Pan African Community Organizations? (iv) How does Ethiopia’s approach to the AU differ from other key regional players such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Algeria? (vi) The Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy and Strategy (FANSPS) refers to the ‘special responsibilities of Ethiopia’ to the AU. What do ‘special responsibilities’ entail? (vii) Does Ethiopia have a hosting country policy? Is a there a need for a host nation policy? if there is such a need, what considerations should Ethiopia take into account in formulating a grand strategic toward the AU and a host nation policy? and (viii) by way of policy recommendations, what considerations should Ethiopia take into account in formulating a grand strategy and host nation policy?
#Ethiopia #Africa_Union #IGAD #MFA #HostNation
#Ethiopia #Africa_Union #IGAD #MFA #HostNation
Read the whole paper https://fes-ethiopia.org/1874
