Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed concluded on Monday a two-day state visit to Kenya during which he held talks with his counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in Nairobi. At the heart of deliberations was bilateral and historical agreements between the two nations. Issues of prime importance included security, trade, tourism and economic cooperation.
Ethiopia and Kenya have emphasised the importance of the role they played in regional peace and security and agreed to intensify joint efforts to bring greater peace and security to the region, in particular in South Sudan and Somalia.
According to a joint communiqué issued after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Abiy and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the leaders have expressed their deep disappointment at the slow pace of progress in the ongoing efforts to restore peace in South Sudan.
The two leaders pledged their full commitment to the IGAD’s mediation efforts.
In this regard, they urged the leaders of South Sudan to place the interests of their people above their own to give peace a chance.
Noting that Al Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat to Somalia and the region, the statement stated that they expressed concern at the continued lukewarm international support for Somalia, in particular, the inadequate and unpredictable funding for AMISOM, which poses a threat to gains made thus far.
Ethiopia and Kenya are committed to continuing lobbying for adequate and sustainable support to AMISOM, including the provision of force multipliers for the mission in Somalia, as well as training for the Somalia security forces.
The leaders of two nations also identified cross-border security challenges exacerbated by vulnerable communities, as obstacles to sustainable peace.
Ethiopia and Kenya are major actors in the fight against terrorism. Both countries have troops in Somalia helping in the fight against Al Shabaab.
