Issue 50 – January 2025

TOPICS:  GERD, Mediation, Kosovo, Fanno, The Anglophone Crisis

Coordinator:
Christian Chereji and Ciprian Sandu

Content – Sommaire:
download-button

 

 

 

 

ARTICLES in Issue 50 – January 2025:

 

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Why Mediation Failed?

Christian-Radu CHEREJI

Abstract:

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economic development and energy security ambitions, and Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. It aims to generate significant domestic and export electricity, playing a vital role in Ethiopia’s growth strategy. However, this initiative has escalated tensions with downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which are concerned about the dam’s potential impacts on their water supplies and agricultural systems. The conflict is rooted in deep-seated issues related to water rights and the equitable distribution of the Nile’s resources, with Egypt perceiving the GERD as a threat to its historical entitlements established by colonial-era agreements. Efforts to mediate the GERD dispute have involved various regional and international actors, including the African Union, the United States, and the European Union, but have often resulted in limited progress and inconclusive outcomes. Factors contributing to the challenges in mediation include a lack of trust among the involved parties, differing national priorities, and the absence of a comprehensive framework to address the complex interdependencies within the Nile Basin. This paper seeks to analyze the dispute management process surrounding the GERD, exploring the historical context, national interests, and negotiation challenges. By doing so, it aims to provide insights into the dynamics of the conflict and propose recommendations for future mediation efforts that prioritize inclusive dialogue, trust-building, and sustainable water management practices among all stakeholders.

Keywords:
Mediation, negotiation, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, African Union, United States, conflict management, dispute resolution.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24193/csq.50.1

download-button


Kosovo: Two Decades After Operation Allied Force. Organized Crime, Ethnic Tensions, and An Economy in Reconstruction

Andreas-Vlad ECHIM

Abstract:

This article seeks to examine the underlying factors that necessitated NATO intervention during the specified period, assess both the immediate and long-term impacts of this intervention, and analyze the elements contributing to the persistence of the conflict to the present day. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the historical, political, social, and economic dimensions of the Kosovo conflict, the study aims to unravel the intricate nature of the situation. Additionally, it evaluates global efforts aimed at conflict resolution and explores the challenges that hinder the achievement of sustainable peace. Accordingly, this article addresses the following research question: Why, 25 years after the NATO intervention – hailed at the time as the only viable solution to halt ethnic cleansing and suppress opposition – does the Kosovo conflict remain unresolved and largely unaddressed?

Keywords:
Kosovo, UNMIK, corruption, economy, conflict, ethnic tensions, organized crime, real
estate crisis, gender inequalities, minorities.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24193/csq.50.2

download-button


Ethiopia: Motivations, Strategies and Interests of the Fanno in the Conflict in Wolkait

Alene KASSAW & Veneranda MBABAZI

Abstract:

The political landscape of Ethiopia has been replete with recurring incidents of intra-state conflicts along class, ethnic, religious, or regional lines. To stem the recurrence of such conflicts, ‘ethnic federalism’ was adopted as a conflict management strategy in 1991. Yet, rather than preventing conflicts, it has changed the arena in which conflicts take place. Various forms of conflicts proliferated in many parts of the country, putting ethnic federalism at the center of debates on the persistence of conflicts. Hence, the role of local non-state actors responsible for the emergence, escalation, or termination of conflicts has been glossed over. One of the determining factors for whether conflict erupts or lingers pertains to actors’ motivations and strategies. Against the backdrop of this, the conflict in Wolkait, Ethiopia will be investigated by shedding light on the motivations and strategies of Fanno, one of the local non-state actors involved in the conflict under study. To this end, a critical research approach is employed within a qualitative case study design in the course of data collection and analysis.

Keywords:
Ethnic federalism, Conflict, Non-state actor, Motivation, Fanno.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24193/csq.50.3

download-button


Cameroon: Façade of Autonomy? The Special Status as A Solution to The Anglophone Crisis

Robert Kosho NDIYUN & Ricky Munyaradzi MUKONZA

Abstract:

The legacy of colonialism in Africa, characterized by artificial boundary imposition, has resulted in engrained conflicts rooted in ethnic and cultural divisions. The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon illustrates this enduring socio-political unrest, with the North-West and South-West regions demanding greater autonomy and recognition of their socio cultural, linguistic, and legal identity. In response, the Cameroonian government granted special status to these regions in the 2019 decentralization law, promising greater self governance. This study critically gauges the effectiveness of this special status in responding to Anglophone demands through the lens of autonomy and conflict resolution theories. It explores whether this measure genuinely empowers these regions or merely represents a façade of autonomy. Employing qualitative methods, the research includes textual analysis, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with government officials, Anglophone leaders, and civil society. The findings reveal that despite hastily granting the special status, its implementation has been ineffective in addressing the grievances of the Anglophone regions. Consequently, the special status has remained a façade of autonomy because of excessive state control over regional institutions and a lack of political will to effectively devolve powers and resources. This paper emphasizes the need for inclusive strategies to address protracted conflicts and advances the discourse on sustainable autonomy solutions in subnational conflicts.

Keywords:
Anglophone crisis, Cameroon, Special status, Autonomy, Decentralization, Conflict resolution.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24193/csq.50.4

download-button

Related Posts