Cooperation engine of prosperity, peace for North Eastern Africa countries: Researcher

Addis Ababa, December 24, 2023 (FBC) – North Eastern African countries need permanent mutual cooperation and security bondage on fair access to sea and unleashing the prevailing potential, a lecturer and researcher at Addis Ababa University, Professor Yakob Arsano said.

Presenting his thoughts under the thematic area of “Littorals and Riparian’s in Northeastern Africa: Geopolitical Cooperation and Regional Security” at the joint workshop today, Yakob said that sharing the water within the region enhances regional development and security.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopia’s desire to have access to the sea is based on the principle of give and take as well as on shared interests with neighboring countries.

Moreover, he elaborated that the North Easter African countries need to foster shared aspiration, self-reliance, strengthen regional organizations such as IGAD, and COMESA, establish task forces on littoral and riparian issues as well as engage in reactivate negotiations, and boost mechanisms of peace and security.

According to him, transforming regional geopolitical relations, equitable and reasonable utilization of regional resources, protecting and conserving the shared water resources, and enhance economic cooperation are among the promising opportunities in the region.

The countries of North Eastern Africa are destined to stay together, he stated, adding that cooperation on shared resources can be the engine of prosperity and sustainable peace and security.

ENA quoted Professor Yakob as saying: “Cooperation among riparian and littoral nations should be guided by principles of mutual trust, empathy, equitable and reasonable utilization of littoral and riparian resources.”

“Now is the time that the countries in North Easter Africa should embark on a new milestone of regional cooperation on shared endowments,” he underscored.