By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Kenya, William Ruto on Saturday said he and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni would help mediate to resolve the dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia which poses a threat to the peace and stability of the Horn of Africa region.
Ethiopia drew the anger of Somalia when it reached a deal with the breakaway Somaliland, a region Somalia said is in its territory, and is hoping to build a port there.
Ethiopia contributes thousands of troops who are part of a regional force in Somalia, fighting al Qaeda-linked insurgents.
Somaliland is seeking recognition as an independent nation in exchange for granting Ethiopia the long-desired access to the port.
The territory has struggled to gain international recognition despite governing itself and enjoying comparative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991.
The disagreement has drawn Somalia closer to Egypt, which also has a strained relations with Ethiopia for years over the decision of Addis Ababa to construct a vast hydro dam on the Nile River. Egypt has also pledged support to Somalia, making real its promise with shipment of weapons to Mogadishu.
“Because the security of Somalia … contributes significantly to the stability of our region, and the environment for investors and business people and entrepreneurs to thrive,” Ruto told a press conference at the ongoing East African Community (EAC) summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
Several attempts to resolve the feud in Ankara, Turkey, have failed to make a breakthrough.
The office of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a statement that Mohamud had met Ruto and Museveni on the sidelines of the summit, but it did not make reference to a potential mediation.
The deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland entails leasing land for construction of port in exchange for possible recognition of its independence from Somalia, a deal Mogadishu says is violation of its territory.
On the other hand, Egypt already at odds with Ethiopia for years over Ethiopia’s construction of a vast hydro dam on the headwaters of the Nile River, condemned the Somaliland deal and agreed to support Somalia fight a common enemy.
The territory declared independence in 1991 but has never achieved international recognition.
Despite this, Somaliland has a functioning government and institutions, a political system that has allowed democratic transfers of power between rival parties, its own currency, passport and armed forces.
Earlier this month, opposition leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has been declared winner of the fourth presidential election in the breakaway when he defeated incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi.
