2.1 Historical background of the relations

Ever since their achievement of independence, the relations that other African countries have had with Ethiopia could be described as very healthy. As a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, Ethiopia has struggled faithfully and prominently for the realization of the objectives of the OAU. It has done its level best overtly and covertly to assist those countries under colonialism to gain their independence. It is worth mentioning that the policy and practice pursued by past Ethiopian governments in this regard must be seen in a positive light because their Policies enabled our country to discharge its African responsibilities and to gain the respect of our African brothers and sisters. Over the past ten years we have continued along similar lines, and the healthy relationships established earlier have been maintained.

In connection with this, Ethiopia has been receiving wide political and diplomatic support from the Organisation of African Unity and its member states. Recently, as evidenced when our country was invaded by the Eritrean government, Africa firmly stood in support of the peace and security of Ethiopia, as in earlier times. In short, it can be said that there is hardly any political and diplomatic support that our country asked for and did not get from Africa. That Ethiopia is the seat of the African Union (AU) is a reflection of this fact. Naturally this entails that we carry a special responsibility for the organisation.

Even though Ethiopia enjoys healthy diplomatic and political relations with other African countries, there have been limitations resulting from the overall challenges Africa faces in fostering unity. Overall economic ties between African countries are weak and Ethiopia does not have economic relations of note with African countries except those in the Horn of Africa. The African Union should have, but has not fulfilled its role to be the forum of debate in the struggle to enhance Africa's share, and that of member states, in the process of globalization. Even in the promotion of peace, the AU has shown that it has serious limitation, although it has made important efforts in this area.

2.2 Significance of the relations

The general and regional conditions favourable to our peace and stability have been nurtured by the positive relations we have managed to maintain with other African states. This will continue in the future as well. Our desire is to focus on development, and on development only. We wish to avoid any and all conflicts, and to respond to those who wish to launch conflicts against us by offering the possibility to resolve problems through discussion and political means. In this regard, we can count on the support of African countries and the African Union.

Furthermore, the influence and support we gain from Africa will help us indirectly as we try to make ourselves heard in other parts of the world. The African Union can play an important role in supporting our efforts in economic development and democratization, by contributing to the creation of favourable political conditions, including the resolution of conflicts by peaceful means.

Home to small and fragmented markets, the African countries cannot benefit as they should form the era of globalisation. The creation of strong economic links among African countries in the long run, will contribute significantly to the development of Africa. We will also benefit from this. But in the short and medium terms, it is difficult to envisage that trade relations between Africans states will bring about significant change to the situation.

On the other hand, all the negative effects of globalisation that affect Ethiopia also apply to other African countries. The world market remains inaccessible to African products, and the flow of aid is limited in both quantity and quality. Individual efforts to overcome such problems may exist, but what will be more effective is to negotiate and struggle as a group, hand in hand with other African countries.

In sum, the growth of trade relations with other African countries could be seen in the long run as significantly influencing our chances of development; but this is not going to be the case in the short and medium terms.

From the perspective of economic development, our trade relations with other African countries are important, not because we expect major increases in trade in the short or medium terms, but because these relations are valuable in the framework of the negotiations and the campaign we engage in to minimise the negative influences of globalisation. Our trade relations are important because they contribute to the maintenance of our peace and economic development.