Kenya, Ethiopia pledge deeper ties, enhanced security

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations while also bolstering regional security and stability.

Ahmed arrived in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday for a three-day visit, his first since Ruto assumed office in Sept. 2022.

During their meeting, the two leaders emphasized their long-standing bilateral friendship and pledged to reinvigorate cooperation in a variety of sectors, including trade, agriculture, and infrastructure development, according to a joint statement issued after their talks.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of regional stability and prosperity, they reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

They emphasized the importance of territorial integrity and non-interference in internal political affairs, as well as adhering to democratic principles and promoting peaceful power transitions.

Ahmed and Ruto "affirmed their commitment to recognize, respect, and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to reject unconstitutional changes of government as well as interference in domestic political processes of African Countries by external interests."

In November last year, landlocked Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland reached an agreement that will allow Ethiopia to access the Red Sea.

This move angered Somalia, which claims Somaliland as part of its territory and sees the port deal as an infringement on its sovereignty and a threat to its territorial integrity.

The issue has heightened tensions between the two countries and raised concerns about stability in the Horn of Africa.

On the international stage, Ruto and Abiy called for stronger multilateral partnerships and UN reform to ensure a more representative, accountable, and responsive global governance system that addresses the world's contemporary challenges.