President Kenyatta and Ethiopian PM Desalegn sign pact to end border conflict
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Federal Republic of Ethiopia Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn in Moyale, Marsabit County on Monday, December 7, 2015, during the launch of the Sh20 billion cross-border integrated programme for sustainable peace and socio-economic transformation. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Part of the cross-border conflicts between communities living along the border occurred in the unoccupied territory.
- The signing of the peace initiative spearheaded by the UN agencies and other development partners showed African countries could cooperate for mutual good.
Kenya and Ethiopia on Monday signed a Sh20 billion deal to end conflict along their common border and spur development.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn witnessed Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed and her Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom ink the 5-year agreement.
“This is a historic function. The presence of the Prime Minister is a reminder of Ethiopia’s commitment to deeper relationship between the two countries and the people,” President Kenyatta said.
PEACE THROUGH TRADE
Under the deal dubbed “Marsabit County\Kenya-Borana Zone\Ethiopia Integrated Cross-border and Area-based Programme” sponsored by United Nations agencies, communities living on the border are to be helped to improve their economy through trade.
The focus is on developing the area’s untapped energy and mineral resources and meat and livestock trade to create jobs for youth.
It also seeks to improve access to health and education and build social cohesion and trust between the communities.
Accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Wario (Sports), Joseph Nkaissery (Interior) and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, President Kenyatta landed in the border town of Moyale shortly after 11 am.
He later received Mr Desalegn before the two unveiled a commemorative plague marking a peace declaration between Marsabit County and Ethiopia’s Borana region.
DEVELOPMENT PACT
There was tight security in Moyale Town and the ‘No Man’s’ land where the ceremony was held.
Part of the skirmishes between communities living along the border occurred in at the No Man’s land.
The persistent insecurity in the region has hindered development, with the situation being worsened by years of marginalisation.
Unlike other peace pacts signed in major hotels in cities, President Kenyatta and Mr Desalegn opted to do it in the volatile region.
Mr Desalegn said there was light at the end of the tunnel, with the two governments now committed to developing the region.
“My government is committed to address historical marginalisation of this region and steer it from poverty and support cross-border programmes for sustainable peace,” the PM said.
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
He vouched for the region being made a special zone for industrialisation.
The Lamu-Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor, he added, would further open up the area.
President Kenyatta said the new initiative would help transform the region.
“The programme will see Moyale being turned into the Dubai of Africa,” he said.
President Kenyatta said the construction of Merille-Marsabit-Moyale highway would be completed in September 2016. The road is part of Cape to Cairo highway.
