Rethinking Ethiopia’s Relations with the Arab League

Abstract

By drawing upon concepts extracted from the IR school of neoliberal institutionalism and
Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), this article argues that the Arab League (AL) could
create a platform for Ethiopia to address its multiple political economy and security concerns
with most of its neighbours. The article analyzed the primary data collected from the Ethiopian
diplomatic circle and explored the potential areas of cooperation and challenges between Ethiopia
and the AL. It finds out that there are multiple issues the AL discuss that concerns Ethiopia
and the potential for future Ethiopian involvement is recognized; however, there is a fear from
Ethiopian side that Egypt would not allow Ethiopia’s membership in the AL. At a domestic level,
the Ethiopian foreign policy tradition will thwart to encourage the Ethiopian aspiration to join
the Arab League as an Observer member state.