Kenya's President William Ruto announced on Saturday that he and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni would mediate a growing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, which threatens regional stability in East Africa.
The tension stems from Ethiopia's proposal to construct a port in Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northern Somalia, in exchange for possibly recognizing Somaliland's sovereignty.
This plan has caused friction with Somalia's central government, even as Ethiopia maintains a significant military presence in Somalia to combat al-Shabaab militants linked to al-Qaeda.
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Despite governing itself and maintaining relative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has yet to gain international recognition. Ethiopia's engagement with Somaliland has further strained its relationship with Mogadishu, which has recently strengthened ties with Egypt and Eritrea. Both nations have contentious histories with Ethiopia, including disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of Somalia's security for fostering regional stability and creating a favorable investment and economic growth environment. However, prior diplomatic efforts, including peace talks in Ankara, Turkey, have failed to yield a resolution.
Ethiopian and Somali officials have yet to comment on the mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, the situation underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics, security, and economic ambitions in the Horn of Africa.
