Ethiopia and Eritrea: Returning to War?

Abstract

The Algiers Agreement of December2000 was meant to end the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and to allow their border to be defined and demarcated. This has, however, not taken place. The intransigence and inflexibility of both nations has prevented a final settlement from taking place. Eritrea had demanded that a ruling by the Boundary Commission be implemented without amendment or discussion, while Ethiopia has insisted that demarcation cannot take place without dialogue. The result is a stalemate that threatens to descent into a renewed war, despite the best efforts of the United Nations and the United States. This article explores the events since the signing of the Algiers Agreement and why this crisis has been so protracted and so dangerous.