The trilateral political relations between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya (1960-1991)

The purpose of this study is to investigate and give a more complete picture about the nature of the trilateral political relations between Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya from 1960 to 1991 based on unrevised Ethiopian, Somalia and Kenyan sources. Additionally, efforts are made to present the dynamics of the foreign policy approaches of the three countries between 1960 and 1991. Moreover, the study tried to trace the nature of the trilateral political relations between Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya (1960-1991) based on the dynamics of regional, continental and extra-continental course of events. Additionally, the study assessed the dynamics of the complex realities of the hostility and/or cooperation between the three countries from 1960 to 1991 based on the pan-Somalia irredentism. Thereby, through tracing the historical processes that had characterized the trilateral political relations between Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya; in this study, it is understood that issues such as irredentism, hegemonic competation, conflicting interests between territorial integrity and self-determination contrive the hostility or cooperation amid the three nations. In addition, the issue of insurgency and counter-insurgency, global actors' interference and headstrong diplomatic approach has complicated the trilateral political relations between the three Horn countries from 1960 to1991. Accordingly, throughout the period covered by this study the Ethiopia-Somalia and the Kenya-Somalia relations were hostile and distrustful while the Ethiopia-Kenya relations had symbolized cooperative. In the process of examination, archival materials from the Ethiopian National Archive and Library Agency (ENALA) are extensively employed. Moreover, manuscripts and secondary literatures are used after being critically evaluated in relation with archival sources. The critically evaluated primary and secondary sources are objectively and analytically interpreted. I hope the study helps to understand the modern diplomatic history between Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.