CHAPTER-SEVEN

FOREIGN POLICY
OF ETHIOPIA
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 7.1. OVERVIEW OF FOREIGN POLICY
 Foreign policy is the combination of rules,
regulations and principles through which an
independent state establish relationship with other
states.
 Foreign policy is a fundamental direction
designed to protect and promote the national
interest abroad
 Foreign policy is supposed to reflect the objective
reality of a given country
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 OVER VIEWOF FOREIGN POLICY…..

• Foreign policy refers to the implementation of

principles to shape pattern of state behavior
in a process of negotiating with other states
to protect or further its interest
• Foreign policy is the combination of rules,
regulations and principles through which an
independent state establish relationship with
other states.

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 OVER VIEWOF FOREIGN POLICY…..

• Foreign policy must be based on

domestic considerations to advance
national interests

• External threats may influence and

shape foreign policy, but domestic factors
are the determinant factors

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 7.2. PRINCIPLES OF FOREIGN POLICY
Major and general principles of foreign
policy are following
1. Principle of equal sovereignty of States
2. Principle of non-interference
3. principle of managing problems diplomatically
5. Principle of relations based on mutual interests
6. Principle of peaceful co-existence
7. Principle of non-alignment
8. Principle of good faith
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 7.3. Ethiopian Foreign Policy
a) The Founding elements
 Ethiopia's foreign relations is guided by the
FDRE Constitutional principles and objectives
clearly stipulated under Article 86
 Based on the FDRE Constitutional principles
Ethiopia's foreign relations have since 2002 been
guided by the Foreign Policy and National
Security Strategy.

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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
• The main purpose of the Strategy has been to
move away the foreign policy orientation of the
previous Ethiopia governments which was
shaped by a siege mentality
• Based on the FDRE Constitution and Foreign
Policy and National Security Strategy, paradigm
shifts were taken like:-
- looking from inside to outside
- avoiding historical enmity
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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
• The other departure of Ethiopia's foreign policy
is the recognition of abject poverty and
backwardness of the country and hence its
survival depends on the attainment of ‫٭‬speedy
economic development, ‫ ٭‬democratization
and ‫ ٭‬peace
• Based on this premises, Foreign Policy and
National Security Strategy (EFNSS) formulates
three basic foundations
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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
The three basic foundations are:-
1. Democracy & development are fundamental goals.
2. Overcoming national humiliation (Poverty,
backwardness) should be the basis for national pride.
3. Pursuing national interest within the framework of
globalization.

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 7.3. Ethiopian Foreign Policy
b) Major Principles
1. Promoting foreign relations based on protection of
national interest and sovereignty of the country
2. Promoting mutual respect for national sovereignty
and equality of States
3. Principle of non-interference in the internal
affairs of other countries
4. Principle of ensuring foreign relations based on
mutual interests.
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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
5. Principle of observing international agreements
that are not contrary to the interest of Ethiopian
peoples.
6. Principle of promoting ever growing economic union
and fraternal relations of people with neighbors and
other African countries- Ethiopia is known for this
7. Principle of seeking and supporting peaceful
resolutions to international disputes

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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..

c) Major Objectives
1. Seize/hold marketing opportunities
- Attracting foreign investment

- Solicit technical and financial support,

- working on grants and loans. (Economic Diplomacy)

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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..

2. Eliminate or reduce external security threats,

- widen foreign friends.

- resolve conflicts through dialogue & negotiation

3. Lessen adverse effects of globalization:-

- by working collectively &

- by working individually
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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
d) Major Strategies
1. Focus on activities at home
 Define what can be done by ourselves
 Identify the gap to be filled by foreign assistance.
2. Economy should be the center
 Relationships should be based first on economic
matters.
 Why only economic development?
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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
3. Decision based on proper analysis
 This will help in the proper utilization of
benefits.
 Identify who provides what and on which
basis.
 Identify sources of threats
 Identify their concern.

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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
4. Reduce Vulnerability to threats
 Vulnerability can be reduced through addressing
Poverty, Backwardness, lack of Good Governance by:-
- establish strong democratic institutions.
- assuring the rule of laws, accountability, transparency….
- dealing with those who operate outside the legal environment
- building strong defense & security capability without compromising
economy activities.

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 Ethiopian Foreign Policy…..
5. Build a reliable defense capability without
compromising economy activities and growth.

6. Build strong implementation capacity

 Forge (Build) national consensus.
 Strengthen professionalism.
 Coordinate all actors (Public, private, civic)

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 7.4. RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

1. General Background
 Countries of the Horn can be characterized as:-
 They have long standing links (language, Culture,
history, natural resources, common border etc)
 They have been impacting each other negatively
and/or positively
 Ethiopia is the only land locked, while all the neighbors
countries have ports
 Therefore, how can we persuade our neighbors in
order to materialize our national interest i.e.
development, democracy and peace.
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 ETHIOPIA'S RELATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

2. In terms of economic development

• Our neighbors find themselves in similar economic
conditions. (Cannot be considered as the source of foreign
investment, development, finance, loans grants etc.)
• Our neighbors have ports, we do not have. (Potential for
mutual benefit)
• In the future they can be an important economic partners but
at this particular moment, the cooperation lies in the
provision & utilization of services like port, electricity……

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 ETHIOPIA'S RELATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

3. In terms of democratization
 Our neighbors are beginners like us (we can not expect
financial assistance to build institutions)
 Our neighbors could be a possibility of promoting
extremism and terrorism
 Our neighbors may take territory claims to its extreme and
may cause conflicts
 our neighbors could fall under the influence of others (Our
democratization Process could be undermined)

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 ETHIOPIA'S RELATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

4. Ethiopia impact on neighboring countries

• Ethiopia holds half of the inhabitants of the Horn of
Africa.- population size
• It is located at the center of the Horn. (the direction
we follow has an impact on them)
• As our economy grows, we would need greater port
service (beneficial to our neighbors).
• As the democratization process deepens, our neighbors
could feel sense of security (a country ready to resolve
conflicts peacefully)
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 AREAS OF FINAL EXAM
FROM CHAPTER FIVE
1. Monistic and Dualistic theories
2. Is IL a law? The two points of debate
FROM CHAPTER SIX
1. Three major International Crimes
2. Principles of negotiation

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 AREAS OF FINAL EXAM
FROM CHAPTER SEVEN
1. Major principles of Ethiopian
foreign policy
2. Major Policy shifts of Ethiopian
foreign policy

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