Kenya, Ethiopia Fasttrack Infrastructure Projects

In a communiqué issued after bilateral talks in Addis Ababa, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn noted that the rapport between the two countries had contributed to the progress achieved in the execution of region’s largest infrastructure project Lamu Port and Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.

Both leaders lauded the promotion of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMS) to a biennial High Level Commission.

The President and the Prime Minister also welcomed the enactment of the Special Status Agreement (SSA) signed in 2012.

They agreed that the agreement provided an effective framework for economic relations between Kenya and Ethiopia.

Given the importance of the SSA in boosting economic ties between Kenya and Ethiopia, both leaders directed their relevant ministers to hasten its implementation.

The two leaders considered the situation in South Sudan and expressed concern over deteriorating security in Africa’s youngest nation. They resolved to continue their engagement with all parties to the conflict through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Both leaders agreed that all parties in the South Sudan conflict should recommit themselves to dialogue and cessation of hostilities to give peace a chance.

President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn also committed to work closely under IGAD’s framework, in support of the people of Somalia in their quest for lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn also supported proposals to inaugurate a Cooperative Framework Agreement that would establish a Joint Lake Turkana, Omo and Daua Rivers Basins Commission to manage their resources to international standards.

By Beth Nyaga