Kenya’s President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni are set to mediate a dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia over a port project in Somaliland, which threatens regional stability. The ongoing tensions have drawn Somalia closer to Egypt and Eritrea amid their longstanding conflicts with Ethiopia. Previous mediation efforts in Ankara have failed, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.
On Saturday, President William Ruto of Kenya announced that he and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni would mediate the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, a conflict that poses a risk to regional stability. Ethiopia currently deploys significant military forces in Somalia to combat al-Qaeda-linked insurgents, but tensions have surged over plans for a new port in the self-declared region of Somaliland, which seeks recognition from the international community. Despite having achieved a degree of self-governance and stability since its declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland remains unrecognized as a sovereign state.
This escalating conflict has also resulted in Somalia fostering closer ties with Egypt, a nation that has a long-standing disagreement with Ethiopia over the latter’s construction of a large hydroelectric dam on the Nile River. Moreover, Eritrea, another adversary of Ethiopia, has been drawn into the situation. “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,” stated President Ruto during a press conference discussing the mediation efforts. Previous attempts to resolve the impasse in Ankara have, as yet, failed to yield any tangible results, and representatives from the Ethiopian government did not respond to requests for comment, while Somalia’s foreign minister could not be reached for immediate statement.
The longstanding tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia have been exacerbated by the proposed development of a port in Somaliland, a territory seeking greater autonomy and recognition from the international community since declaring independence in 1991. Somaliland has maintained relative stability compared to the broader instability in Somalia. Additionally, Ethiopia’s involvement in Somalia is largely driven by its efforts to counter terrorism and secure its interests in the region, making the resolution of these conflicts critical for regional security and diplomatic relations. The Kenya-Uganda mediation effort signals a broader concern for the Horn of Africa’s geopolitical situation, especially amid ongoing disputes over water resources and territorial sovereignty.
The mediation initiative by Presidents Ruto and Museveni marks a significant diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly concerning the controversial port project in Somaliland. As the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa becomes increasingly complex with alliances shifting and regional players adjusting their strategies, the outcome of this mediation could hold lasting implications for stability and investment opportunities in the region. Continued diplomatic dialogue among affected nations remains essential to ensuring peace and security.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
