Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is set to facilitate discussions between Kenya and Somalia over their maritime boundary dispute, with talks scheduled in Nairobi following his arrival Tuesday night alongside Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
Farmajo's office stated the visit aims to strengthen diplomatic ties, citing his leadership since 2017 as a key factor in the renewed engagement. While Nairobi has not issued an official statement, sources indicate Abiy and Farmajo will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the long-standing conflict.
The dispute, escalated in 2014 when Somalia filed a case at the International Court of Justice, centers on a 100,000-square-kilometre marine area rich in potential oil and gas resources. Kenya argues the boundary follows a parallel line of latitude as established by colonial powers, while Somalia claims it extends southeast from the land border.
Economic interdependence between the two nations remains critical, with Somalia serving as a major market for Kenyan goods and khat, and Kenya relying on Somali cooperation to counter Al Shabaab threats. Recent bilateral talks in Addis Ababa between Abiy and Kenyatta foreshadowed the current mediation efforts.
