Ethiopia has helped in brokering a deal to have diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia restored.
Kenya and Somalia have been engaged in a row over the ownership of offshore oil fields in the Indian Ocean.
The dispute over a maritime border escalated last month forcing Kenya to recall its ambassador to Somalia, Lucas Tumbo.
Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohammed Muhamud Nur was also asked to return to Mogadishu.
Source of recent row
Kenya had claimed that Somalia auctioned oil and gas exploration blocks at the centre of the dispute.
Somalia however denied the claims as both countries await the resolution of the dispute which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
Somalia first lodged the complaints over the maritime boundaries in 2014. It had then negotiated over the 100,000 square kilometres area with the oil deposit.
The final ruling will significantly impact on the revenue both countries could secure from oil and gas exploration.
Resolution efforts
But on Wednesday Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed in a tweet that he is helping to mediate between the presidents of Somalia and Kenya.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart, Mohamed Farmaajo held face-to-face talks in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Abiy Ahmed said Wednesday’s meeting was “to discuss extensively on the source of the two countries dispute.
As an outcome both agreed to work towards peace & to take measures in addressing particular issues that escalated the tensions.”
Through the leadership of PM Abiy Ahmed, @UKenyatta & @M_Farmaajo met this morning to discuss extensively on the source of the two countries dispute. As an outcome both agreed to work towards peace & to take measures in addressing particular issues that escalated the tensions. pic.twitter.com/vRrtjPp3zF
— Office of the Prime Minister – Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) March 6, 2019
There were fears the current maritime border dispute could impact negatively efforts to deal with terrorism in the East African region.
Both countries have for years been collaborating on this mission.
Source: Africafeeds.com
