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Ruto, Abiy agree to respect states' sovereignty amid Ethiopia-Somalia dispute

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed chats with Kenyan President William Ruto, following his arrival to Nairobi for a state visit, on February 27, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Mwangi Maina | 28 Feb 2024

Their statement did not directly mention Somalia, which accuses Ethiopia of attempting to annex its territory through a sea access pact with the beakaway region of Somaliland.

Kenyan President William Ruto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have agreed to acknowledge, honour, and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Abiy is in Kenya for a three-day state visit and will also attend the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), where he will come face-to-face with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

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Ethiopia and Somalia are in a dispute over the January 1, 2024 pact between Ethiopia and Somaliland that is to allow Ethiopia sea access for commercial and military activities in exchange for Somaliland's recognition as an independent state and a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.

Somaliland is a breakaway region of Somalia hence President Hassan's accusation of the violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As the dispute unfolds, Ruto and Abiy met at the State House in Nairobi on Wednesday and agreed to respect state sovereignty.

"...they affirmed their commitment to recognise, respect and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states...," a joint communique said, without directly mentioning Somalia.

The two leaders also agreed to "reject unconstitutional changes of government as well as interference in domestic political processes of African countries by external interests".

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland has sparked tensions that could affect the region, prompting calls by continental and international bodies for Abiy and Hassan to quickly find a solution.

With both of the feuding leaders meeting in Nairobi, Kenya finds itself at the centre, with President Ruto having to strike a balance to sustain relationships he has strengthened over the years.

Ruto has not openly declared support for either Ethiopia or Somalia in the conflict but Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar confirmed to The Eastleigh Voice that the Kenyan President supports Somalia's sovereignty.

"We appreciate the support Kenya provided to us," he said on January 18, 2024, following a private meeting with Ruto.

President Hassan has, on several occasions, cautioned Ethiopia about fulfilling the controversial Red Sea access deal with Somaliland, saying he will not tolerate the violation of his country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Abiy, on the other hand, says he has to consider the unique needs of a population limited by the landlocked nature of their country. He notes it is unsustainable to rely on its neighbours for access to ports as this is expensive.

Both Abiy and Hassan, under pressure to de-escalate, say they want a peaceful solution to the conflict, not war.