Presidents Ruto and Museveni to Lead Mediation Between Ethiopia & Somalia

President William Ruto on Saturday stated that he would lead mediation talks between Ethiopia and Somalia after joining forces with his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni.

Speaking during the 24th Summit of the East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, where he was elected EAC chair, President Ruto noted that the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute, if left unchecked, may destabilise the Horn of Africa region.

He added that the stability of Somalia affects the entire region and as such, peace talks need to be given priority.

“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 said.

In a statement, the office of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud confirmed that Mohamud had met Ruto and Museveni on the sidelines of the EAC heads of states summit, but it did not disclose further details.

The dispute between the two countries springs from Ethiopia’s plan to build a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has thousands of troops in Somalia to combat al Qaeda-linked insurgents.

In the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, the latter would receive recognition as a sovereign state in exchange for a port.

Somaliland lately struggled to gain international recognition despite governing itself and enjoying comparative peace and stability since declaring independence in 1991.

The dispute has birthed two factions further complicating the safety of the region. Somalia, which has been quarrelling with Somaliland, has taken sides with Egypt and Eritrea.

There has been a feud between Egypt and Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the River Nile.

Previous attempts to resolve the growing feud in Ankara, Turkey, hit a wall as parties did not reach an agreement.

Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia’s foreign minister, told Reuters that previous resolutions by regional leaders had fallen on deaf ears in Addis Ababa. He, however, expressed confidence in the ongoing mediation initiated by Turkey.

Ethiopia’s government and foreign affairs spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.