GRÓ GEST PhD Fellow Publishes in International Journal
In a recent article, Yeshiwas Degu Belay (GRÓ GEST PhD Fellow and 2017 GEST Alumnus) explores Ethiopia’s engagement in international peacekeeping missions from the early 1950s to the present. The article – entitled “The Ethiopian State, Foreign Policy, and Participation in International Peacekeeping: Continuities and Changes” – discusses the historical, structural, and ideational factors that have shaped Ethiopia’s involvement. It is based on his PhD research funded by GRÓ GEST and supervised by Dr Valur Ingimundarson, a Professor of Contemporary History, at the University of Iceland.
The Main Findings
The article presents four distinct periods of Ethiopia’s peacekeeping, each marked by domestic and external geopolitical developments. It shows that Ethiopia’s engagement in peacekeeping has been deeply intertwined with its foreign policy shifts, regional developments in Africa, and internal political changes. Ethiopia’s involvement reflects a complex interplay of historical and geopolitical forces, starting with Emperor Haile Selassie’s internationalist policies in the 1950s to the pro-Soviet stance of the Derg regime, and the proactive peacekeeping roles under the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) since the early 2000s.
In the post-2000 period, Ethiopia became a major contributor to United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) peacekeeping missions, deploying thousands of male as well as female soldiers, police and civilians and playing an important role in conflict zones, notably in Africa. Belay highlights Ethiopia’s strategic use of peacekeeping as a tool for advancing its foreign policy objectives aimed at maintaining regional stability and fostering bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Moreover, the article shows how Ethiopia has become an important actor by hosting and facilitating international conferences focused on the protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups in peacekeeping settings and on participation of women in UN peacekeeping.
Contributions
The article makes significant contributions to the field of peace and security studies, gender studies, foreign policy and international relations by filling a critical gap in the literature on Ethiopian peacekeeping. Previous studies have often overlooked the structural, historical, and ideational dimensions of Ethiopia’s peacekeeping, focusing mainly on its post-2000 engagements. Belay's research, however, provides a comprehensive historical overview, shedding light on the factors that have shaped Ethiopia's peacekeeping trajectory over several decades.
At a time when conflicts and insecurities are increasingly complex and multifaceted, understanding the dynamics of international peacekeeping is more important than ever. Belay's findings underscore the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing security challenges. Ethiopia’s proactive role in peacekeeping signifies the role of a developing state, demonstrating how strategic participation in peace mandates can enhance national security, foster regional stability, and build international partnerships.
The article highlights the potential for peacekeeping to contribute to state-building and post-conflict recovery. Ethiopia’s experiences in countries like Rwanda, Liberia and South Sudan illustrate how peacekeeping can facilitate political transitions, promote human rights, support local law enforcement to investigate sexual and gender-based violence, and assist the capacity building of women to become involved in the peace and political process.
Moreover, the article traces the inclusion of women in Ethiopian peacekeeping missions, particularly in medical roles during the Korean War and later as a military personnel, underscores the significant contributions Ethiopian women have made to international peace and security. This historical participation sets a precedent for later missions to enhance women’s participation as military observers, gender experts and contingent troops.
By analysing Ethiopia's evolution and its significant contributions to global peace efforts, Belay’s research advances our understanding of the complexities of peacekeeping and its implications for future research and policymaking. Focusing on how Ethiopia navigates internal and regional conflicts, Belay’s work shows how its peacekeeping experiences could provide a framework for addressing contemporary challenges and advancing the cause of peace and security.