This archive report was first published on 1 December 2019.
Just months after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Ethiopia's reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is facing accusations of interfering with the affairs of neighboring countries, including Somalia and South Sudan.
Two United Nations reports, released in November, accused Abiy's government of being lukewarm in the South Sudan peace process and fuelling instability in Somalia, two countries he has been closely involved in as the chairman of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad).
Abiy's government, along with Uganda and Kenya, was accused of being inconsistent in ensuring the implementation of a revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan, which was midwifed by Igad in September last year.
According to a UN report, 'over the past year, the Igad and member states neighbouring South Sudan – specifically Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda – have not demonstrated full and consistent engagement in the peace process.'
Abiy's government and its allies in Kenya and Uganda have refuted the accusations, with Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, Meles Alem, stating that the allegations do not hold water.
'One of the pillars of Ethiopian foreign policy is non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. That is our track record,' Meles said.
Kenya, on the other hand, accused the UN team of passing the buck, arguing that it suffers whenever South Sudan is at war, as its businesses close and it hosts refugees.
Abiy's government is also facing accusations of interfering with the affairs of Somalia, with the Forum for National Parties (FNP) writing to him to stop 'the unfortunate renewal of Ethiopia's involvement in Somalia's domestic politics.'
The FNP accused Ethiopia of deploying non-Amisom forces in the country, which could undermine the fragile state-building and nascent democratic processes in Somalia.
Abiy's government has dismissed the accusations, with Meles stating that Ethiopia's role in South Sudan and Somalia has been limited to the peace process.
He said that Ethiopia deploys peacekeepers who follow available regulations and has played a constructive role under the auspices of Igad to bring peace and stability in the two countries.
Abiy's government is facing accusations of interfering with the affairs of neighboring countries, despite his Nobel Peace Prize win.
