Regional Peace And Security In The Horn Of Africa

The study is about the regional mechanism of peace and security in the Horn of Africa region.The region holds an important geopolitical significance connecting the continent with the Middle East,Europe,and Asia.Irrefutably,the region is also known for interweaved problems of political instability and economic hardship.To address these problems,regional governments revitalized IGAD and mandated it with issues of peace and security.The study aspires first to look into the challenges and achievements of the organization in its peace and security efforts and second identify possible opportunities for constructive transformation.The study is guided by a combination of theoretical perspectives of Regional Security Complex and Conflict Transformation Theory,where the first is employed to describe and analyze the regional security context and interdependence,while the second is used to envisage opportunities for change in light of existing dynamics,relations and the engagement of China to the regional scenario.Accordingly,the study has examined IGAD effort by taking Somalia and Sudan as cases.IGAD initiatives like Conflict Early Warning Mechanism and the Security Sector Program are also considered.The study found that even though some good tasks were undertaken supported by big powers,continental and international organizations,yet IGAD's endeavors for sustainable peace and security is affected by several factors.Among others,financial and human resource deficit,the nature of state politics,and national security conception of members,lack of enforcement mechanism,are few to mention.The study also identifies some opportunities for change.Windows of opportunity for a positive change are underlying the region.This can be seen from recent political changes in most member states,IGAD's own experience of working with relevant stakeholders,and the massive UN attention given to the regional conflicts.Similarly,the reinvigorated geopolitical significance of the region calls for big powers to engage in security matters,like the USA and China.Such positive developments will pose a positive impulse to IGAD's cause.China's amicable diplomatic relation with all member states of IGAD,its regional economic and security engagement,its strategic orientation,and the power of its soft power(economic model)can be opportunities imperative in transforming the region.Regional dynamics and the coming of China to the security and economic landscape of the region are imperatives in the realization of IGAD's peace and security endeavors.For instance,China's bilateral approach and economic relations with all states of the region along with noninterventionist foreign policy principle,its increased security engagement like tackling piracy in the coastal areas of Somalia,and its increasing participation in the UN-sponsored peacekeeping missions in the region,have important implications in supporting IGAD's cause.Similarly,China's support in the reconciliation process of Sudan with South Sudan,since 2005,and in their respective national instabilities provides important input for regional peace and stability.China's engagement in post-conflict reconstruction of Somalia and South Sudan,and its lodged intention of mediating Eritrea with Djibouti,though too early to judge,can be seen as opportunities for the regional security quest.Above all,China's initiative of OBOR is to link the African continent via the region of the Horn.This can have several implications to draw.Inter alia,China will further reinvigorate its security interest in and contribution to the region that complements IGAD's aspiration.Besides,if the initiative is realized,the propensity to help address the region's infrastructural predicament will tend to increase.This will help boost intraregional trade and make some of the causes of violence powerless.Thus,IGAD member states need to consider China's security and economic engagement as a context for transformation.For instance,Djibouti has become a big economic hub with infrastructure links to Ethiopia;infrastructures and industrial zones are improving in Kenya and Ethiopia all of which are done in collaboration with China.These improvements have implications in the fight against the regional troubles.Similarly,IGAD needs to make use of China's engagement in the post-conflict peace building and reconstruction efforts in Somalia and South Sudan,and the naval facility supply established in Djibouti as input for regional conflict transformation.Besides,IGAD need to focus on conflict transformation and preventive efforts in addressing the remaining security threats.