NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – Kenya and Ethiopia have solidified their partnership by signing seven Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at fostering collaboration in various spheres and ensuring peace, security, and stability across the continent.
The MOUs cover a wide range of areas including cultural development, tourism, wildlife conservation, the blue economy, correctional services, petroleum and energy development, and capacity building in the public service.
In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of both countries, President Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining peace and stability for economic growth and development in Africa.
“President Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy underscored the need to maintain peace, security and stability within the continent as a necessary condition for economic growth and development in accordance with universal aspirations,” the joint statement added.
“Accordingly, they affirmed to recognise, respect and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to reject unconstitutional changes of government as well as interference in domestic political processes of African countries by external interests,” it added.
They committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states while rejecting unconstitutional changes of government and external interference in domestic political processes.
The agreements reached between the two nations span sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, transport, ICT, tourism, health, culture, and forestry, aligning with their respective national aspirations.
The signing of these MOUs coincided with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s state visit to Nairobi, Kenya. This visit marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Abiy’s visit comes at a crucial juncture, as tensions simmer between Somalia and Ethiopia following Addis Ababa’s memorandum of understanding with Somaliland.