Partition Problems: Relative Power, Historical Memory, and the Origins of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War

Abstract

Under what circumstances does partition yield war between resulting successor states? This article probes the causes of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998–2000) in an effort to offer tentative answers. The evidence suggests that in this particular case, the causes of postpartition war reflected a more general cause of war: disagreements over relative power. These disagreements were underpinned by the divergent historical memories maintained by ruling elites in each country about the joint revolution that brought them to power and partitioned the Ethiopian state. Based on a wide array of materials, this article contributes to debates on the comparative study of partition, while providing new insight into the origins of the Eritrean-Ethiopian War.