President Ruto and PM Abiy Ahmed Strengthen Kenya-Ethiopia Ties
Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to working alongside Ethiopia and other regional stakeholders to find lasting solutions to Somalia’s instability.
Kenya and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their strong diplomatic relations following a high-level meeting between President William Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa. Photo/William Ruto.
Kenya and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their strong diplomatic relations following a high-level meeting between President William Ruto and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa.
The discussions, held at the National Palace, focused on regional peace, security, and economic cooperation.
President Ruto praised Ethiopia’s leadership in promoting regional stability, acknowledging Prime Minister Abiy as a “close partner, friend, and brother.”
He emphasized Kenya’s commitment to working closely with Ethiopia to address key challenges affecting the Horn of Africa, particularly issues of security and economic development.
“We value our close ties with the government and people of Ethiopia,” Ruto said. “Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has, over the years, proven to be a close partner, friend, and brother. We commend his leadership in regional peace and stability.”
One of the major topics of discussion was the security situation in Somalia. Both Kenya and Ethiopia play crucial roles in supporting peace efforts in the region, particularly in countering threats posed by extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab.
Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to working alongside Ethiopia and other regional stakeholders to find lasting solutions to Somalia’s instability.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two leaders to explore ways of enhancing trade and investment between Kenya and Ethiopia. Both countries have been pursuing initiatives to strengthen cross-border trade, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation.
Ethiopia remains a key partner in Kenya’s efforts to boost regional economic integration, with projects such as the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor aiming to facilitate trade and connectivity.
Beyond economic and security matters, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening people-to-people relations, cultural exchanges, and collaborations in various sectors, including education and technology.
The discussions signified the deep historical ties between Kenya and Ethiopia, dating back decades.
The visit by President Ruto underscores Kenya’s strategic interest in maintaining robust diplomatic and economic ties with Ethiopia, a country that plays a vital role in regional geopolitics.
As both nations continue to navigate complex regional challenges, their commitment to mutual cooperation remains essential in fostering long-term peace, stability, and prosperity in East Africa.
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of Kenya-Ethiopia relations and reaffirming their shared vision for a more stable and economically vibrant region.
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