Ethiopias role of counter terrorism and its implication in the horn of Africa

This paper seeks to review Ethiopia’s role in counter-terrorism in the horn of Africa. The analysis presented in the article is based on the qualitative data provided by international organizations, governments, research institutions, and other concerned bodies in the area. Secondary data was collected by analyzing the literature in academic journals, policy documents, periodicals, books, newspapers, and academic papers and magazines, TV documentaries on the research questions of this study. This study intends to contribute to research about Ethiopia’s roles in Counter Terrorism measures in the Horn of Africa by bridging the gaps in previous studies part of which was the non-inclusion of regional and international actors in the fight against terrorism. The government of Ethiopia has attempted to improve its Counter Terrorism cooperation with Kenya and the Federal Government of Somalia to combat threats.  Ethiopian officials remain more willing since Abiy’s selection to cooperate with the U.S. government against Al-Shabaab. Ethiopia is a key ally of the Western world, especially the U.S., which considers it an important regional security partner in the global war on terror, and recently as negotiators in conflict resolution stages in most of the Horn of African states. The government of Ethiopia generally supports international directives that seek to stem terrorism. This study proves that Ethiopia is the major role player in counter-terrorism in the horn of Africa, and the counter-terrorism operation has fewer positive implications in the region. Ethiopia cannot ignore the rising threat of Islamic radicalism in Somalia, but it needs to act carefully and wisely to avoid hostile relations with its large Muslim community and with Muslim-dominated neighboring states.