Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-28 17:48:42
Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Nairobi on Wednesday, marking the first state visit for the Ethiopian leader to Kenya since 2020. The meeting was expected to cover various topics, including Ethiopia’s negotiations with the breakaway region of Somaliland regarding access to a seaport.
In a significant move, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on Jan. 1, sparking concerns from Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory. Somalia has expressed strong opposition to the agreement, even threatening war over it. Somaliland, on the other hand, claims that Ethiopia agreed to recognize its independence in exchange for access to a naval port.
Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Nairobi followed President Ruto’s visit to Addis Ababa for the 37th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government on Feb 16. During the summit, Ethiopia and Kenya established a strategic framework to enhance bilateral cooperation in key areas of economic and social development.
As part of the agreements reached, measures will be taken to streamline processes at the Moyale One-Stop Border Post, including the removal of unnecessary checkpoints, customs protocols, and systems between the two nations. This move aims to facilitate smoother cross-border trade and promote economic growth in the region.
The meeting between President Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also provided an opportunity to discuss other areas of mutual interest, such as regional security, trade, and infrastructure development. Both leaders emphasized the importance of fostering strong ties between Ethiopia and Kenya to promote peace and prosperity in the region.
In addition to the bilateral discussions, the visit served as a platform for cultural exchange and people-to-people interactions between the two countries. Through mutual understanding and cooperation, Ethiopia and Kenya aim to strengthen their relationship and work together towards shared goals and objectives.
Overall, the state visit by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Nairobi symbolizes the commitment of Ethiopia and Kenya to deepening their partnership and collaboration for the benefit of their citizens and the broader East African region. By addressing key issues and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, the two countries are laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and interconnected future.
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