Thursday February 29, 2024
President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Nairobi. In the middle is Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. (photo : Villa Somalia)
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed started his day two of the official visit to the East African country. He was reportedly greeted by Kenyan Vice President , Rigathi Gachagua, upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Kenyan News sources related Hassan Sheikh’s arrival in Nairobi to the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA6). The Star on Wednesday, reported that “the Head of State at the summit will highlight Somalia’s unique environmental challenges.”
Regarding the challenges Somalia is facing, it quoted heads of state as saying “The challenges particularly will include the climate-induced humanitarian situation in the country by exploring ways to work collaboratively with global partners to build a sustainable future for Somalia,” the statement reads.
193 member states meet annually to discuss the environment as it relates to climate – among other things.
Somalia and Ethiopia have developed tension after the latter signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to establish a naval base on leased coastal areas from Somalia. Hassan Sheikh – who sees the deal as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty – expected to raise the matter during the UN environmental assembly in Nairobi.
There is no official information available so far if the Kenyan President William Ruto is arranging a meeting for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh on the sidelines of the UN meeting. Somalia has been stating there will not be “space” for mediation with Ethiopia before the latter retracts the agreement with Somaliland – a breakaway region of Somalia that has been existing as a de facto state for over thirty years.
State and non-state actors have been expressing concern about possible military conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, and have been urging a peaceful resolution of the tension between the two countries.