HORN OF AFRICA SECURITY DIALOGUE The Role of Regional Powers in the Field of Peace and Security: The Case of Ethiopia Kidist Mulugeta July 2014 • Regional powers generally contribute to stability and peace within their geographically defined spheres of influence. The Horn of Africa region is said to lack a clear regional power. This paper argues otherwise. Ethiopia, despite its constraints in terms of economic capacity and lack of internal political consensus, has emerged as a regional power capable of projecting its power beyond its borders. • Ethiopia’s military power, population size, relative internal stability and diplomatic strength have enabled it to position itself as a regional power and to drive regional peace and security initiatives. Ethiopia has also been able to influence regional security agendas through sub-regional and regional organizations. The convergence of Ethiopia’s interests and those of its western partners further give Ethiopia legitimacy in its regional role and status. At the same time, other states in the Horn of Africa have been unable to balance Ethiopia’s position in the region or gain the same level of recognition for their role in peace and security. • Due to lack of economic capacity Ethiopia has only managed to contain regional security challenges temporarily. However, by emerging as a central and influential security player in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has managed to secure the development assistance that it desperately needs to boost its economy and deal with the numerous internal and regional constraints to its regional power projection. • To consolidate its regional power position and receive more recognition and credibility, Ethiopia needs to improve its internal political condition and increasingly play a more constructive role in the Horn of Africa.