The Ethiopia- Eritrea- Tigray Border Conflict and Implications on Security in the Horn of Africa

The Ethiopia-Eritrea and Tigray border has remained a contested issue in a volatile region in the Horn of Africa. The border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea is dated back to the colonial era and culminating in a devastating war that lasted from 1998 to 2000. This study, therefore, examines the causes, challenges and implications on security in the Horn of Africa. Frustration-aggression theory serves as the framework while the case study design is adopted by the study. Data were collected from secondary sources. Findings reveals that both Ethiopia and Eritrea have strong national identities and historical grievances, which have fueled tensions and territorial claims; while nationalist sentiments and aspirations for self-determination have also played a significant role in shaping the conflict dynamics. In addition, the desire to protect national interests and assert sovereignty has contributed to the protracted nature of the conflict. The study indicates that border conflicts have far-reaching implications for both countries and the East African region, the conflict resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people, leaving deep scars on both nations. The conflict led to the closure of borders, severing economic ties and hindering regional integration. However, in 2018, a historic peace agreement was signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea, ending two decades of hostility. This agreement resulted in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, the opening of borders, and the resumption of trade and people-to-people interactions. It was a significant step toward stability and cooperation in the region. The paper therefore recommends that it is crucial to prioritize dialogue and mediation, provide humanitarian assistance, ensure accountability for human rights violations, foster peace-building and reconciliation, promote regional cooperation, and address the underlying causes of the conflict for long-term stability and promoting peace in the region.