The Djibouti-Eritrea Conflict

The three-day war between Eritrea and Djibouti in 2008 is a reminder that Africa’s sub-region remains one of the most unstable and conflict-prone in the world and lacks conditions for a workable peace and security order. This brief, published by the InterAfrica Group, assesses the nature and course of the conflict over borders and its links with peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. If allowed to continue, the Eritrea-Djibouti conflict could endanger strategic interests of many countries and the international war on terror.

Since its independence in 1993, Eritrea has had contentious relations with almost all its neighbours; Djibouti has worked to balance its strategic interests with its more powerful neighbours, Ethiopia and Somalia. The three-day war consisted of Eritrea opening fire on Djibouti forces along the Mount Gabla border. In response, France (the former colonial power) increased its area military presence and Ethiopia announced its support for Djibouti. The United Nations, United States, African Union, Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Conference condemned Eritrea for military aggression. Eritrea’s attack underscored its reputation as a bad neighbour; a state ready to resort to military action on the slightest pretext.

The symbolic significance of the Eritrea-Djibouti conflict is more important than its actual course and dynamics. As such, the interplay of the following factors contributed to the military conflict clash and continued hostility between Eritrea and Djibouti:

• The Horn of Africa is replete with un-demarcated borders that invite disputes over interstate power related to the unstable regional power hierarchy. Eritrea considers securing its borders part of nation-building.
• After its defeat by Ethiopia in the 1998-2000 war, Eritrea has become obsessed with Ethiopia’s dominant position in the region. The Djibouti conflict was, in part, Eritrea’s response to growing links between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
• Having failed to become a regional hegemon, the only way for Eritrea to ensure its position is to actively involve itself in regional conflicts and seek the attention of global powers.
• Eritrea has developed the tendency to act out its quest for relevance by displaying hostility towards the West in general and an obsessive hatred of the US.
• Conflicts with neighbours help Eritrea divert attention away from its failing economy. Presenting itself to its citizens as ‘under siege’ allows the country to divert young people from the labour market into the army.

If allowed to fester, the conflict between Eritrea and Djibouti could endanger strategic interests of many countries and the war on terror. Other conclusions include:

• Eritrea will not admit to the conflict and is not ready to talk. Only active intervention by regional and international leadership can resolve the conflict.
• The larger issue of whether Eritrea can continue to afford aligning its national security interests on the destabilisation of Ethiopia needs to be addressed by Eritrean leadership and regional and international actors.
• The solution to the conflict lies in creating a situation where both sides would be able to understand each other. The challenge is that nobody can talk to Eritrea.

Access full text

Author: Medhane Tadesse
Source: Tadesse, M. 2008, ‘The Djibouti-Eritrea Conflict’, Center for Dialogue on Humanitarian, Peace and Development Issues in the Horn of Africa, Briefing, InterAfrica Group
Size: 14 pages (204 kB)