Ethiopia Adopts Roadmap for Integrated Border Management

Addis ababa: The High-Level Policy Dialogue on strengthening Ethiopia's border governance concluded on Friday by adopting the roadmap for integrated border management. The Institute of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with GIZ-African Union Border Programme (GIZ-AUBP), hosted the two-day High-Level Policy Dialogue on strengthening Ethiopia's border governance.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Security Adviser to the Prime Minister with the Rank of State Minister, Kenea Yadeta, emphasized the importance of the roadmap for implementing improved border governance in Ethiopia. He highlighted that effective policies require reliable knowledge and informed analysis. Borders are more than territorial lines; they are spaces where security, development, governance, and mobility intersect, necessitating innovative responses to meet various demands.The Adviser noted that Ethiopia's border areas present both opportunities and challenges, facilitating connections with neighboring states through trade and cultural tie s while requiring effective governance to address evolving security conditions. The ongoing assessment aims to support evidence-based improvements in border governance.In this context, the state minister stressed the importance of consultations and dialogue in validating findings and developing a practical roadmap for strengthening border governance. The ultimate goal is to translate recommendations into actionable steps.Institute of Foreign Affairs Executive Officer, Jafar Bedru, highlighted the need for the roadmap to reflect realities experienced directly in border communities. He emphasized that border governance should involve border communities as active partners essential for sustainable security and development. He warned against restrictive approaches that could push trade into informal channels and weaken trust in the state. Effective governance, he argued, can transform borders into gateways for cooperation and shared prosperity.Deputy Permanent Observer of Germany to the African Union, David Gudisch, stated that the adopted roadmap will serve as a strategic framework for national implementation. He praised Ethiopia's evidence-based leadership through the Institute of Foreign Affairs and noted Germany's long-term support for border governance efforts since 2008, including collaboration with the African Union and Ethiopia.Gudisch expressed Germany's commitment to enhancing operational capacity, investing in institutional coordination, and strengthening human capital, particularly through initiatives related to water management and cross-border conflict prevention. He underscored Germany's support in turning the strategic blueprint into tangible results for peace, security, and prosperity across African borderlands.