Kenya to mediate Ethiopia's tension with Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - President William Ruto of Kenya has initiated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease tensions between the two countries, following an agreement signed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi.

The agreement, if implemented fully, would see Ethiopia getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for the establishment of a military base and port, a move that has irked Somalia. The government of Somalia has accused Ethiopia of annexation and infringement of territorial integrity.

And, from this week, both Addis and Mogadishu are expected to tone down their public rhetoric against each other, sources privy to the discussions indicated, The EastAfrican reports. Ruto hosted Abiy Ahmed and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud separately in Nairobi last week.

“The two leaders discussed ways and mean to expand close partnership on a wide range of issues, including further developing bilateral economic and security ties to the benefit of both the people of Somalia and Kenya,” said a dispatch after Dr Ruto and Mr Mohamud met at State House, Nairobi.

Diplomatic sources told The EastAfrican, that Kenya desired to ensure the dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia does not boil over. Since January, Addis Ababa and Mogadishu have bickered publicly after Ethiopia signed an MoU to access the sea with Somaliland, a breakaway region whose independence from Somalia has never been recognized abroad.

By Thursday night when both leaders departed Nairobi, the consensus was that they should no longer discuss it in public.

“It is important that they do not raise tensions by continually criticizing each other in public,” said a diplomatic source familiar with the back channels. “There will be a meeting shortly at a venue to be agreed so that we continue engaging.”

Ruto’s intent to resolve the issue was clear when he met with Abiy on Wednesday. A dispatch from the meeting said they had agreed to respect the sovereignty and territorial boundaries of peers in the region, a revealing decision for the Horn of Africa.

“Accordingly, they affirmed their commitment to recognize, respect and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, and to reject unconstitutional changes of government as well as interference in domestic political processes of African countries by external interests.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to take action against Ethiopia should the Horn of Africa nation proceed to implement the agreement with Somaliland. The Somaliland region runs a parallel government from that of Mogadishu and is fighting for international recognition, which Ethiopia is ready to offer.

GAROWE ONLINE