Rédaction Africa Links 24 with khaliil
Published on 2024-03-03 16:18:57
Kenya’s President William Ruto has recently taken steps to facilitate discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia in order to reduce tension between the two countries. This initiative has been primarily driven by economic interests in both nations. It is anticipated that both Addis Ababa and Mogadishu will now scale back their public confrontations against each other, as per sources familiar with the ongoing discussions.
President Ruto played host to both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, who were in Nairobi for separate reasons. Dr. Abiy was on a state visit while Mohamud was attending the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (Unea-6) at the Unep headquarters in Nairobi. The discussions with the Kenyan leader focused on security and economic issues in the Horn of Africa.
Kenya’s objective in mediating the dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia is to prevent the situation from escalating further. The public spat between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu began in January after Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a breakaway region not recognized internationally. Despite Kenya’s attempts at mediation, Somalia refused to engage in talks until Ethiopia renounced the MoU. Ethiopia maintained that the agreement was purely for business purposes and not a bid to annex Somali territory.
Following their meetings in Nairobi, both leaders departed with an agreement not to discuss the issue publicly. There is a plan for a future meeting at an agreed venue to continue the dialogue. The focus of the discussions was on respecting the sovereignty and territorial boundaries of each country in the region, emphasizing peace, security, and stability as essential for economic growth and development.
President Ruto’s efforts to resolve the dispute are seen as a positive step, with implications for regional stability and economic cooperation. The Nairobi Declaration, a joint communique issued after the meetings, underscores the commitment to upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting unconstitutional changes of government and external interference in African countries.
For Ruto, the resolution of the conflict not only benefits Somalia but also aligns with Kenya’s strategic interests, particularly in relation to the Lamu port project. Ethiopia, on the other hand, views the discussions as an opportunity to address past grievances and enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, and health.
Overall, the engagement between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya signifies a step towards regional collaboration and conflict resolution. By prioritizing dialogue and cooperation, the three countries aim to foster mutual understanding and address longstanding issues for the benefit of their people and the region as a whole.
Read the original article on Wardheer News
