This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
On November 23, 2019, Kenya and Ethiopia were in talks to finalize a title deed for Ethiopia's berth in the Lamu port.
The Lamu port would provide Ethiopia with a strategic location to serve its southern region, which is critical for the country's economic growth.
As Ambassador Meles Alem noted, 'Kenya and Ethiopia have the longest-standing mutual defence pact, so our strategic interests have a long history and endure. With a title deed, we should be able not just to invest in Lamu, but more widely in Lapsset.'
Additionally, the Lamu port would enable Ethiopia to hedge against strategic risks, allowing the country to establish a naval base.
With 10 military bases in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia's presence in the Lamu port would provide a counterbalance to its neighbors.
