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Nairobi back-channel talks lead to Ethiopia-Somalia agreement to reduce criticisms
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    Monday March 4, 2024

     

    Mogadishu (HOL) - Kenya has led efforts to mediate tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, leading to an informal agreement between the two nations to cease public criticisms. Regional leaders hope this development can mark a significant stride in regional diplomacy, potentially averting a further escalation of tensions.

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    The agreement was reached following discussions in Nairobi last week after Kenyan President William Ruto hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud individually, utilizing back-channel mediation to address the tensions arising from a contentious maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, opposed by Somalia.

    According to diplomatic sources, the Nairobi discussions aimed to mitigate public confrontations and strengthen diplomatic ties. Initially, negotiations encountered significant obstacles, primarily due to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's unwavering position. He firmly refused to initiate talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed until the contested maritime agreement was entirely annulled. Ethiopia's Prime Minister had previously stated that he has requested dialogue and a meeting with Somalia's president several times via the presidents of Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya. He pointed out that Somalia had rejected all of these talks. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed maintained that the contentious deal was purely commercial and did not infringe upon Somalia's sovereignty by engaging with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

     





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