Introduction
Foreign policy is the actions decisions and goals that states pursue towards the outside world.
The deriving motives behind it is the pursuit of national interest. National interest is the set
of values, orientation, goals and objectives a given country would like to achieve in its
international relations. The country’s diplomatic journey has paid off to the present-day Ethiopia.
From ancient empires to modern diplomacy, Ethiopia has navigated a remarkable course on the
world stage. Ethiopia's foreign relations are as complex and vibrant as the nation itself. From its
ancient history as a powerful empire to its modern role as a key player in the African and
global affairs, the country has navigated a fascinating diplomatic journey. Ethiopia is one of few
early African countries admitted to the League of Nations, becoming a member on 28 September
1923, and was one of the founding members of the United Nations. During the Scramble for
Africa, Ethiopia had maintained its full sovereignty over European colonial power and fought the
First Italo-Ethiopian War in 1895–96. However, the League did not protect in accord with the
envisaged "collective security" of the country, resulted Italy's occupation of Ethiopia for 5 years
(1936–1941). From 1950s, Ethiopia participated to UN peacekeeping missions such as in Korean
War and Congo Crisis. Virtually, Ethiopia maintains diplomatic relations to most countries, and
is non- permanent member of the UN Security Council. In this paper we tried to include the
major national interests of Ethiopia after the medieval periods from Emperor Tewdros II
to EPRDF/TPLF government.
INTRODUCTION 2
Ethiopia's history may be traced back more than 3000 years. Ethiopia has had a long and intriguing
history of contact with people from all over the world, dating back to ancient times. Ethiopia has been
connected to the outside world in a variety of ways over its lengthy history. With the countries of the
Mediterranean basin, as well as those around the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian subcontinent,
and potentially China, trade and cultural connection thrived. The modern Ethiopian state is said to
have emerged during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II in the mid-nineteenth century. Ethiopia's
authorities have been preoccupied with two issues since the country's inception: establishing the
legitimacy of the multi-ethnic polity as a viable nation-state and preserving its geographical integrity.
The ultimate goal has always been for the international community to recognize Ethiopia as a
legitimate state and to respect the country's borders.
Generally, in this paper foreign policy of our country Ethiopia during Emperor Tewodros II(1855-1868),
Yohannes IV(1872-1889), Menelik II(1889-93) , Haile Silassie I(1916-1974), Dergue (1974-1991) and
Post 1991 clearly overviewed.
National Interest and Foreign Policy of Ethiopia during regime of Emperor Tewdros II(1855-1868)
Tewodros wanted to create a united Ethiopia.
➢He introduced the idea of modernity and modern army
➢Throughout his reign Tewodros tried to develop a dynamic foreign policy that reached
out beyond the Horn Region.
➢He sought the Western Christian world to recognize his country and help him to modernize his
country. The emperor attempted to establish his diplomatic relations to fight his immediate
enemies claiming Christianity as instrument of foreign policy. Not only modernized the empire,
but he also paved the way of coherence the succession for subsequent emperors.
➢However, the emperor demand modern technology and skilled man power, Britain sent
religious missionaries.
He appealed specifically to Britain, France and Russia as Christian nations to assist him in
whatever ways possible in his fight against the Turks, Egyptians and Islam. In 1861 he conceived
a bold foreign policy to bolster his kingdom and promote his reforms. In1862 Tewodros offered
Britain’s Queen Victoria an alliance to destroy Islam. The British ignored the scheme, and, when
no response came, Tewodros imprisoned the British envoy and other Europeans. This diplomatic
incident led to an Anglo-Indian military expedition in 1868. Sir Robert Napier, the commander,
paid money and weapons to Kassa, a dejazmatch (earl) of Tigray,in order to secure passage
inland, and on April 10, on the plains below Āmba Maryam (or Mekʾdela), British troops
defeated a small imperial force. In order to avoid capture, Tewodros committed suicide two days
later.
Ethiopian Foreign Policy During regime of Yohannes IV (1872–89)
After a period of conflict that saw the brief and self-proclaimed rule of Tekle Giorgis (1868–
72),the Tigrayan Kassa took the imperial crown as Yohannes IV on January 21, 1872.After
ejecting two Egyptian armies from the highlands of Eritrea in 1875–76, Yohannes moved south,
forcing Shewa’s king Sahle Mariam to submit and to renounce imperial ambitions. Yohannes
thus became the first Ethiopian emperor in 300 years to wield authority from Tigray south to
Guragē. He then sought to oust the Egyptians from coastal Eritrea, where they remained after the
Mahdists had largely taken over the Sudan. Egypt tried to put a serious security threat in its
continued attempt to invade the country under many pretexts, yet its motive was to control the
source of Blue Nile.
➢These, however, were not successful as Egypt faced subsequent defeat both in 1875 and 1876at
the Battle of Gundet and Gura respectively. But he was unable to prevent Italy from
disembarking troops at Mitsiwa) in February 1885.In order to weaken the emperor, Rome tried to
buy Sahle Mariam’s cooperation with thousands of rifles. The Shewan king remained faithful to
Yohannes but took the opportunity in January1887 to incorporate Harer into his kingdom.
Meanwhile, Yohannes repulsed Italian forays inland, and in 1889 he marched into the Sudan to avenge
Mahdist attacks on Gonder. On March 9, 1889, with victory in his grasp, he was shot and killed at
Metema.
During regime of Emperor Menelik II (1889-1913)
Sahle Mariam declared himself emperor of Ethiopia on March 25, taking the name Menilek II. Ethiopia
had strong diplomatic relations under Emperor Menelik II with Britain, France and Italy. The latter
pursued hegemony to Ethiopian Empire after establishing colony in Eritrea (1882).
The British and French rival with Italy due to insecurity with their respective protectorate in East Africa.
However, both feared the process of Menelik's Expansions.
He had expanded his sphere of influence towards the far South and East incorporating new areas and
communities peacefully or otherwise.
The southward expansionism policy of the King was mainly targeted to have access to Sea Port, Zeila.
Before the death of Yohannes Italy had good diplomatic relation with Menelik with the objective of
weakening Its immediate enemy in the North, Yohannes. Following the death of Yohannes, however, Italy
continued to be the main challenge in the North.
Moreover, the King saw the other colonial powers surrounding all four corners of the country as the
scramble of Africa was heightened.
On May 2,1889 he signed a treaty of amity and commerce granting Italy rule over Eritrea. The Treaty
of Wuchale was signed between Ethiopia and Italy with respective bilingual version. The treaty was
signed between Menilik and Pietro Antonelli, IT was signed after the Italian occupation of Eritrea and
aimed to create friendship with both countries.
