April 14, 2024
1 min read

Kenya proposes treaty to defuse Ethiopia-Somalia tensions


Ethiopia, landlocked, agreed on January 1st to lease 20 km (12 miles) of Somaliland’s coastline, an autonomous region within Somalia, possibly signaling recognition in exchange….reports Asian Lite News

Kenya has proposed a regional maritime treaty to defuse tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal allowing Ethiopia to set up a naval base and giving it port access in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, a top Kenyan official said on Thursday.

Landlocked Ethiopia agreed on Jan. 1 to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland, a part of Somalia which claims independence and has had effective autonomy since 1991, offering possible recognition of Somaliland in exchange.

That prompted a defiant response from Somalia and fueled concern the deal could further destabilize the Horn of Africa region.

The treaty Kenya is proposing in consultation with Djibouti and regional bloc IGAD would govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms, Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, told Reuters.

“IGAD can be able to formulate a treaty for sharing maritime resources,” he said, referring to the bloc which brings together countries in the region.

On Thursday Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a meeting with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in the Kenyan capital as part of efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the dispute.

“We continue to engage with all the parties with a view to ensuring that at the end of the day the region is left all stable,” Sing’oei said.

If accepted, Nairobi’s solution would offer Ethiopia “stable and predictable access to maritime resources” so it can carry out its business unhindered, while also respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity, he added.

Somalia and Ethiopia are considering the proposal, he said, and their leaders have been asked to consider meeting to take the process forward.

Sing’oei said time was of the essence since Al-Shabab militants in Somalia were using the dispute to portray the government in Mogadishu as being unable to protect Somalia’s sovereignty.

ALSO READ: Sudan prosecutors accuse ex-PM Hamdok of ‘inciting war’

Previous Story

‘Sudan conflict claims thousands of civilian lives’

Next Story

UN Chief Denounces Iran’s Attack on Israel

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan Razes 1,000 Afghan Homes in Karachi

On October 16, the Pakistani authorities ordered Afghan migrants to leave their homes and shops in Quetta within a week…reports Asian Lite News Pakistani authorities, along with Karachi police, demolished more than

Bangladesh dengue death toll hits 245 in 2025

Presently, 977 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka, while 2,793 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Bangladesh…reports Asian Lite News One person died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the 24
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ethiopia govt announces nationwide state emergency

The Ethiopian government has announced a nationwide state of emergency

At least 30 killed in Kenya anti-government protests

The largely peaceful rallies turned violent on Tuesday when lawmakers