Kenya To Work With Ethiopia For Reconstruction Of Somalia

Bernama
Thursday, April 25, 2013

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Kenya will work closely with Ethiopia and in co-operation with the Somalia government towards the reconstruction and development of Somalia, said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta after talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn here Wednesday.

The fruitful deliberations, which were also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, saw the two sides discussing a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest and concern, with President Kenyatta reaffirming his commitment to enhance relations with Ethiopia.

He said relations between the two neighbouring countries were not only hinged on a long tradition of friendship but also on a Special Status Agreement. Both countries are members of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Development (IGAD), a Horn of Africa grouping.

The two leaders said they are focused on efforts to contribute to sustainable peace, reconstruction and development in Somalia.

"Kenya and Ethiopia remain strategic partners, especially within the IGAD framework in the search for peace and political stability of Somalia," said President Kenyatta said while voicing regret that the two countries continued to bear the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees occasioned by the long-standing crisis that has afflicted Somalia more than 20 years.

Within the framework of co-operation for mutual benefit, the two leaders also conferred on the modalities of actualising the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSET) project as part of the common destiny as neighbours and a region.

"We also touched on efforts towards positive developments on the negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan," President Kenyatta said.

They also conferred on matters relating to the African Union, of which Hailemariam is the current chairperson.

President Kenyatta assured that Kenya would remain a strong supporter of the pursuit of Africa's unity and vision of a common development agenda as the regional body celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year.

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