The border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan has reached alarming points.
Speaking to the Milli Gazete, İNSAMER Africa Expert Dr. Serhat Orakçı said, "The artificial border problem left by colonialism continues to create a crisis between countries."
The border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan, one of the most densely Muslim-populated countries of the African Continent, has reached alarming points.
As a result of the military operations launched by the Ethiopian government in the Tigray region in recent months, border violations have occurred on the Ethiopian-Sudan border. The Sudanese army mobilized its troops to protect its border. The course of the events, in which many civilians lost their lives and an intense military activity took place in the region, is being followed with concern. We talked to Serhat Orakçı, African Studies Specialist at the Humanitarian and Social Research Center (İNSAMER), about the border problem that caused a crisis between the two countries.
"IT CAN BE SEEN AS REFLECTION OF THE TIGRAY CRISIS"
Stating that the Tigray crisis in Ethiopia was also reflected on the Sudan border, Orakçı said, "The Tigray problem has arisen in Ethiopia for a few months. The Ethiopian army overthrew the regional government that ruled the province of Tigray in a military operation. Stones moved. However, there has been a Fashaga problem between Sudan and Ethiopia for many years. The Faşaga region is within the borders of Sudan, but Ethiopian farmers are allowed to do agricultural activities here. This problem has been resolved with a moderate policy between Sudan and Ethiopia until now. As the Tigray problem grew, Sudan tightened military control in Fashaga. The escape of some Tigray militants to the Fashaga area and the approach of the Ethiopian army to the Sudan border while chasing the militants caused such a crisis."
"THE AFRICAN UNION HAS STRICT DECISIONS ON BORDERS"
Sharing his predictions on the possible effects of the border problem between Sudan and Ethiopia, Dr. Serhat Orakçı, "The Faşaga problem is a typical colonial remnant border problem, as in many regions of Africa. This limit does not change. Because in 1963, the African Union made very important decisions regarding the protection of existing borders throughout the continent. It is out of the question for Ethiopia to annex the Faşaga region bordering Sudan to its territory. Because the center of the African Union is Ethiopia. A solution will be found between the two countries through diplomatic channels and there will be no situation that will lead to war. "It would not be a wise state policy for the Ethiopian government, which is already dealing with the Tigray problem, to open a new front against Sudan," he said.
THE ARTIFICIAL BORDER PROBLEM LEFT BY COLONIALISM
Explaining the historical dimension of the border problem between Ethiopia and Sudan, Dr. Serhat Orakçı said, "The formation of this border is based on the agreements made in the early 1900s. At that time, the colonialist British had a say on behalf of Sudan. The British draw these boundaries. The border perception of modern states and the border understanding of traditional societies are different. For the people, the border refers to the places where they graze their animals, water resources, and the ways they can make a living. But colonists view the borders as areas of protection and land from which they can levy their sovereignty. The origin of the crisis on the Ethiopia-Sudan border is based on the colonial understanding."