ADDIS ABABA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Global Trends

ASSIGNMENT ONE

NAME – EL-BETHEL YILKAL

SECTION - 12

ID NO - UGR/1985/13

SUBMITTED TO: DR. HAYLEYESUS

SUBMISSION DATE - 7/3/2022G.C

1
Discuss critically the theoretical role of international relation between Ethiopia, Egypt and

Sudan.

Theories of international relation creates a better understanding about the world around us

because they have different views/perspectives. We need to know about theories of international

relations because of there are many interactions, either in positive or negative way , disputes and

so on that are cross boundary that affect one’s or another’s country welfare.

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan are countries that are located in Africa continent. They have the

membership of the Africa Union, and the Nile Basic Initiative in common. They share a relation

of unique nature due to their crucial roles in vital issues such as the Nile water file and interest

both share on establishing security in the horn of Africa.

Nowadays the relationship of these countries is not peaceful as a result of the Grand Renaissance

Dam project on the Nile River. The Nile has been essential for civilization in Egypt and Sudan.

The people and government of Ethiopia are funding the project which will not only serve

Ethiopia but also Egypt and Sudan. The primary purpose of the dam is electricity production.

Now let us see the relation of these countries according to some international relation theories.

1. Realism

Realists believe/argue that values are context bound, that moraly is determined by interest and

the conditions of the present are determined by historical process. They also believe conflict is

inevitable and war is the most prominent instrument of resolving conflict. According to this

theory, the conflict between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt must be determined by their historical or

2
past relationship. For instance, by looking at the protocols that were signed by these countries on

the use of the Nile River during and after the colonization period. We have to look at the first

protocol that was signed between Britain and Italy in 1891 up to now and make decisions after

all the countries are trying to protect their self interest.

The Realism theory argues that war is the best conflict solving method which is not good for all

countries. It does not have any good for all people so let us look at peaceful way of resolving

conflict.

2. Liberalism

Liberalism argues that human beings are good, cooperation is possible and conflicts can be

resolved peacefully. This theory gives way to a good conflict resolution method like discussing

and making an agreement peacefully. Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan all have legitimate claims to

and concerns about the use of the Nile River basins so the three neighbors should negotiate in

good faith towards a mutually beneficial agreement on the management of the Nile River.

Because the Nile River is not only link that connect these countries. Many ethnic groups in

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan share architecture and engineering, crafting ideas, traditions of

religion and political organizations, languages and alphabet, food and agricultural practices.

Therefore thinking about including the ideas of liberalist helps the three countries to resolve their

conflicts peacefully.

3. Structuralism/Marxism

It is an ideology that argues that the capitalist society is divided into two: the business class and

the working class. It defines the unequal/unbalanced income like countries with a great number

3
of the population with extreme poverty. The Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan relations can be

discussed within this theory because even if they have basically Ethiopia and Sudan similar

growth rate there is still difference between the three countries. Their population can also be

defined as a business class and working class

The dispute of these countries mainly affect the working class. It affect their day to day life so

they better to resolve their conflict to give their citizens the best.

4. Constructivism

This is a theory that explains the relationship between agents (individuals) and structures (such

as state). It tells that the essence of international relation exists in interactions between people

like politicians and diplomats.

In the conflict about the three countries, there has been many negotiations over the river’s use,

which has been ongoing for a decade. In this process, the respective country’s diplomats and

politicians take the first place (role) to keep and protect their country. The three countries have

their own diplomats who express their country’s interests in a professional manner. They are still

fulfilling their role on keeping the negotiation on smooth way by not leading to the conflict.

After all we use all the theories to resolve the dispute or the conflict between the countries and to

achieve a better understanding/ relationship and growth in the countries.

This is some explanation about the three countries Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan based on the

theories of international relation.

4
5