What do the Lingering Conflict and the West intervention in Ethiopia mean for Africa? A Snapshot Analysis

Abstract

A burgeoning of literature and policy-related works dealing with conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia in general and Tigray in particular has emerged. A plethora of works most often deal with the local context in which the conflict-formation is witnessed through identifying the underlying causes, the manifold consequences, the narrations, as well as the role of external actors. Despite a growing emphasis on the topic, the wider implication the conflict poses to Africa has been given a marginal attention. This study therefore seeks to shed light to the conflict-setting in which the West intervention is highly visible and the manifold implication it has for Africa. To this end, the paper draws on different sources to generate data that inform the study. The study argues that the conflict unfolded in the northern part of Ethiopia and the concomitant West intervention should be seen through adopting a unique approach, that is, examining the implication for the wider region in terms of the degree of space given to African agency, the continuation of extra-continental intervention and the existing inter-state system.