weapons, as triggers that have ignited conflicts. For example, the 2004 and 2008 conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz states were caused by claims and counter-claims over land, the lack of a culture of respect for the rule of law, aggravated by population growth pressures. Inter-State conflicts 108. Ethiopia has been experiencing violent conflicts with its neighbours. These conflicts reflect the political economy of the sub-region within which Ethiopia is located. Prevalent characteristics are: fluid pastoral movements among states with irredentist ambitions and exclusionist ideologies; and, a broader, international environment of diverse and competing interests. Indeed, Ethiopia does exist in a precarious neighbourhood. Despite the odds, it has been able to resolve conflicts into which it has been drawn in order to protect its national interests, or for other reasons. Conflicts with Sudan and Djibouti have been resolved. Currently, interventions that include a ruling from the International Court of Justice in The Hague seem to be containing the long-standing conflict with Eritrea. Yet relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have not been normalised. While there is an absence of violence, there exist a situation of no war, no peace. It is still to be seen whether an end to conflict can lead to normal relations and the establishment of a productive partnership. According to the CSAR, the armed conflict that erupted in 1998 seized on border demarcation as an immediate cause. The economy and differences over regional policy are the main driving factors. 109. There have also been cross-border conflicts at the Ethiopian, Kenyan and Somali borders - the area known as the Karamoja cluster by the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) - due to a desire to restock herds and gain better access to water points and grazing land. Mechanisms for addressing Intra-State and Inter-State Conflicts 110. The CSAR provides evidence of a high degree of success in conflict prevention, management, resolution, and transformation with respect to intra-state conflicts and inter-state conflicts. A number of critical laws and institutions are designed to address conflicts within and between regional states, and between Ethiopia and other states. For conflicts within and between regional states within Ethiopia, institutions provided to address them include the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the House of the Federation, and the Ministry of Federal Affairs. There is also a range of other inter-regional state commissions and boards, laws and policies to this end. - 71 -