Abstract:
Ethiopia and Sudan are neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa which have strategic geographical setting and also shared extended boundary. Metema called Galabat to the Sudanese and Galabat called Metema to Ethiopians had been historically the most important centre of contact, peaceful or hostile, between the Ethio-Sudanese socio-political relationships in the North-Western boundary of the two neighbouring states. In spite of the political dynamics between the two countries, socio-political and socioeconomic cooperation continued even during the period of hostility. Authorities on both sides of the border have a lingering history of authoritarian rule and occasional contrive for territorial expansion. In the previous times, the political leaders of the two states have used different subversive bustle by arming rebel insurgents groups to cross the border and enhanced their different political objectives at the common border region. However, following the conclusion of different bilateral agreements regarding the strengthening of their relations at the common border region and in the hinterland, there is now a positive-friendly correlation that led to the relative peaceful socio-political relation between the citizens of the two states at the common border region. The different bilateral agreements, at various times, regarding the strengthening of their relations, and the existence of compatible national interests expressed in many policy documents with respect to the maintenance of national security, and economic cooperation motivated the two governments to establish friendly relations at the boundary region. The main source of conflict at the border region of Metema include the involvement of Sudan to spread political Islam in the Ethiopian territory, competition between the two countries to assert regional leadership, and the long standing suspicion arising from their unresolved boundary problem at the common border region. The study used qualitative research methodology. In terms of techniques of data collection methods, the author has used open ended questions, four focus group discussion and non-participant observation. In addition to these techniques of data collection methods, the author has also used books and other-related secondary sources. The findings of the research have shown that the socio-political relations of the two neighbouring states at the common border region have been fluctuating between harmony and conflict since 1991 and following the conclusion of different bilateral agreements at various times regarding the strengthening of their relations at the common border region, and in the hinterland, there is now a positive friendly relationships that led to the relative peaceful socio-political relationship between the two states at the common border region of Metema and Galabat
