Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to fast-track implementation of the special status agreement between the two countries, that is predicted to have economic and security benefits for their citizens.
Kenya and Ethiopia established a bilateral commission, which is the highest level of structured bilateral cooperation. Leaders of the two nations held talks on Monday at Statehouse in Nairobi maintained that both countries already enjoy the highest level of diplomatic status with each other and will embark on a new drive to raise trade and diplomatic ties.
“Kenya has always considered Ethiopia to be a brother. We have collaborated from before independence where Ethiopia played a leading role in supporting Kenya gain independence,” said President Kenyatta.
According to Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the special relationship between Kenya and Ethiopia, which includes a defence pact, has ensured that the two nations have maintained cordial relations despite living in a region known for turbulence.
‘’We have held talks and agreed to focus on our historical ties that our forefathers built for us. We are not proud of what we have been doing over the years and we have to achieve more,’‘ said Abiy who became prime minister of Ethiopia last month.
The two leaders also discussed the implementation of the Power Purchase Agreement under which Kenya would import up to 400MW from Ethiopia yearly.
Ethiopia is currently completing the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam. The country’s leaders hope the dam will enable Ethiopia to supply the region’s electricity needs.
While Egypt has opposed the dam project because of fears it could affect the flow of water downstream, Sudan and Kenya have already expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to import electricity from Ethiopia.
President Kenyatta also expressed the need for more efforts to be put up in ensuring that people in both countries benefit from the special relationship especially in the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
The construction of the One-Stop Border Post in Moyale which is complete on the Kenyan side and 95% complete on the Ethiopian side was one of the achievements cited by President Kenya.
The bilateral meeting, held after a lengthy tete-a-tete between the two leaders, was attended by the deputy president and cabinet secretaries
