Italy and the Tana Beles project in Ethiopia between political infl uence and development cooperation (1985-1990)
Journal title VENTUNESIMO SECOLO
Author/s Antonio Varsori
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2025/57
Language Italian Pages 33 P. 75-107 File size 132 KB
DOI 10.3280/XXI2025-057005
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation
click here
Below, you can see the article first page
If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits
FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.
In the 1980s, Italy sought to expand its international influence beyond traditional spheres, focusing on the Horn of Africa. This strategy, rooted in colonial ties and development cooperation, aimed to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia while increasing Italian influence. The Tana Beles project in Ethiopia exemplified this approach, combining development aid with political objectives. Despite challenges, including criticism of suppor-ting Mengistu’s regime and guerrilla opposition, Italy persisted with the project. Ultimately, the strategy failed with the collapse of both Ethiopian and Somali regimes.
Keywords: Italian foreign policy; Horn of Africa; Development cooperation; Tana Beles project
Antonio Varsori, L’Italia e il progetto del Tana Beles in Etiopia tra infl uenza politica e cooperazione allo sviluppo (1985-1990) in "VENTUNESIMO SECOLO" 57/2025, pp 75-107, DOI: 10.3280/XXI2025-057005