Kenya and Uganda have agreed to mediate in the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, a conflict that could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
The tensions stem from Ethiopia’s plan to build a port in Somaliland, a region that declared independence in 1991 but has not gained international recognition. The Somali government is opposed to Ethiopia’s involvement, as it sees Somaliland as part of its territory. Ethiopia currently has troops stationed in Somalia to combat al-Qaeda-linked militants, but its support for Somaliland has strained relations with Mogadishu.
Somaliland, which has maintained relative peace and self-governance for years, could potentially gain formal recognition as an independent nation through Ethiopia’s backing of the port project. The move, however, has worsened Somalia’s ties with Ethiopia, prompting Somalia to strengthen relations with Egypt and Eritrea, both of which have long-standing tensions with Ethiopia over the Nile River dam dispute.
Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni announced their mediation efforts after meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at a regional summit. Despite earlier failed attempts to resolve the issue in Turkey, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi expressed hope that ongoing international mediation would bring progress.
