Ethiopia, Kenya Agree to Intensity Joint Effort to Bring Greater Peace, Security to Region

Addis Ababa May 07/2018 Ethiopia and Kenya have emphasized the importance of the role they play in regional peace and security and agreed to intensify joint efforts to bring greater peace and security to the region, in particular in South Sudan and Somalia. According to a joint communiqué issued after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Abiy and President Uhuru Kenyatta today, the leaders have expressed their deep disappointment at the slow pace of progress in the ongoing efforts to restore peace in South Sudan. The two leaders pledged their full commitment to the IGAD’s mediation efforts. In this regard, they urged the leaders of South Sudan to place the interests of their people above their own in order to give peace a chance. Noting that Al Shabaab continues to pose significant threat to Somalia and the region, the statement stated that they expressed concern at the continued lukewarm international support for Somalia, in particular the inadequate and unpredictable funding for AMISOM, which poses a threat to gains made thus far. In this respect, Ethiopia and Kenya are committed to continue lobbying for adequate and sustainable support to AMISOM, including provision of force multipliers for the mission in Somalia, as well as training for the Somalia security forces. The leaders of two nations also identified cross-border security challenges exacerbated by vulnerable commun