Conflict Between Ethiopia and Eritrea - an Assessment and Potential Solutions

This paper discusses the border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the difficulties that both parties are having implementing the decision. This conflict may qualify as an intractable conflict. Conflict "e;is a difference within a person, or between two or more people, that touches them in a significant way"e; (LeBaron and Pillay, 2006, p. 12). Conflict hurts the most "e;when their interdependence is so essential that they cannot do away with it despite the difficulties of remaining interdependent, such as for friends or lovers"e; (LeBaron & Pillay, 2006, p. 88). Such is the case between Ethiopia and Eritrea.