1. Her Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia made a one-day official visit to Kenya to update H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, on the progress of negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and discussed bilateral and regional issues. The leaders held fruitful discussions at State House Nairobi today Wednesday 12th March 2020. The discussions were held in a friendly atmosphere characteristic of the relations between the two countries.
2. President Sahle-Work thanked H.E. the President for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to her and her delegation since their arrival in Kenya.
3. The two leaders noted with appreciation the existing cordial relations between Kenya and Ethiopia founded on the historical and socio-cultural ties and buttressed by shared aspirations for economic transformation for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the two countries.
4. President Sahle-Work briefed H.E. President Kenyatta on the GERD project and the trilateral negotiations with Sudan and Egypt aimed at reaching an agreement on the First Filling and Annual Operation of the GERD. The President also underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to continue working with all Nile Basin countries and to ensure that only treaties that are properly entered into by the countries will apply to the basin.
5. President Uhuru Kenyatta underlined the need for Africa to sustainably utilize its natural resources to address the needs of its increasing populations. The President also emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable and reasonable utilization of natural resources.The two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching a resolution in the spirit of African Solutions to African Problems and concurred on the need for the African Union to support the countries reach a win-win outcome.
6. On bilateral issues, the two leaders re-affirmed their commitment to deepen and enhance bilateral cooperation through the existing mechanisms, including the High-Level Commission and the Joint Border Commissioners’/Administrators’ Commission. They directed that these commissions should meet on a regular and predictable basis in order to create and sustain the requisite momentum for enhanced economic, political, and security cooperation between the two sister countries.
7. The two leaders noted with concern the grave threat to the food security of the two countries and the region arising from the invasion by desert locusts. They agree to work together at bilateral and regional levels, including through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to urgently and comprehensively address this menace to the livelihoods of the people of the two countries and the region.
8. The two presidents lauded the ongoing efforts to revitalize IGAD under the leadership of the Prime Minister of the Sudan, H.E. AbdallaHamdok, Chairman of IGAD and Executive Secretary of IGAD Dr.WorknehGebeyehu. They pledged their full support and commitment to making IGAD revitalization successful in order to create an organization that is better positioned to respond to and spearhead the economic and securityaspirations of the region.
9. H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta invited H.E. President Sahle-Work to undertake a state visit to Kenya at a date to be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
10. President Sahle-Work accepted the invitation. The two leaders expressed their commitment to strengthen the relations between the two countries with a view to addressing strategic issues of mutual interest.
11. President Sahle-Work once again thanked her host and the people of Kenya for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements during her visit.
DONE IN NAIROBI, KENYA, ON 12TH OF MARCH 2020
