A Terminal Crisis? Examining the Breakdown of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Dispute Resolution Process

Abstract

This case study examines the breakdown of the dispute resolution process that was intended to lay the foundations for a reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia following their bitter border war of 1998 to 2000. The paper identifies general lessons for future third party settlements. In particular, the Eritrea-Ethiopia case suggests that factors such as the scope of the third party's mandate, the composition of ad hoc panels, and the transparency and duration of the panel's activities might affect the ultimate success of territorial dispute resolution.

Keywords

arbitration Ethiopia Eritrea boundary mediation.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Official documents relating to Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission can be found on the website of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at http://www.pca-cpa.org/ENGLISH/RPC/. The reports of the Commission are annexed to the periodic progress reports of the Secretary-General on Ethiopia and Eritrea. The text of Ethiopia's "Request for Interpretation, Correction and Consultation" is reproduced at http://www.waltainfo.com/Conflict/BasicFacts/2002/June/fact_02.htm

Bercovitch, J. , Anagnoson, J.T. , and D.L. Wille. 1991. Some conceptual issues and empirical trends in the study of successful mediation in international relations. Journal of Peace Research 28(1): 7-17.

Blake, G.H. 2000. Geographers and international boundaries. Boundary & Security Bulletin 7(4): 55-62.

Diehl, P.H. , and Tir, J. 2002. Geographic dimensions of enduring rivalries. Political Geography 21(2): 263-286.

Hensel, P. , and S.M. Mitchell. 2005. Issue indivisibility and territorial claims. GeoJournal 64(4): 275-285.

Kleiboer, M. 1996. Understanding success and failure in international mediation . Journal of Conflict Resolution 40(2): 360-389.

Mitchell, S.M. , and P. Hensel. 2005. International institutions and compliance with agreements. Typescript.

Project Ploughshares. Armed Conflicts Report 2003. Available at http://web.archive.org/web/20030617234524/http://ploughshares.ca/CONTENT/ACR/ACR00/ACR00-EthErit.html

Rushworth, D. 1999. Geographic support to courts and states involved in boundary dispute settlement. In J. Dahlitz , ed. Peaceful resolution of major international disputes. New York and Geneva: United Nations.