Ethiopia committed to work with all Nile Basin countries: President Sahle-Work

Addis Ababa, March 12, 2020 (FBC) –Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde today held talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in Nairobi.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral and multilateral subjects including the peaceful co-existence among communities living along the Ethio-Kenya border and the desert locust invasion.

At the regional level, the two Heads of State discussed the challenges facing the Nile River basin and emphasized the need for pursuing African solutions to African problems.

The leaders appreciated the existing cordial relations between the two countries founded on the historical and socio-cultural ties and buttressed by shared aspirations for economic transformation for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the two countries.

President Sahle-Work briefed President Kenyatta on the GERD project and the trilateral negotiations with Sudan and Egypt aimed at reaching an agreement on the first filling and annual operation of the GERD.

The President also underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to continue working with all Nile Basin countries and to ensure that only treaties that are properly entered into by the countries will apply to the basin.

President Kenyatta underlined the need for Africa to sustainably utilize its natural resources to address the needs of its increasing populations.

He also emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable and reasonable utilization of natural resources.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching a resolution in the spirit of African Solutions to African Problems and concurred on the need for the African Union to support the countries reach a win-win outcome.

On bilateral issues, the leaders re-affirmed their commitment to deepen and enhance bilateral cooperation through the existing mechanisms, including the high-level commission and the joint border commissioners’/Administrators’ commission.

The two leaders noted with concern the grave threat to the food security of the two countries and the region arising from the invasion by desert locusts.

They agree to work together at bilateral and regional levels, including through the IGAD to urgently and comprehensively address this menace to the livelihoods of the people of the two countries and the region.

The two presidents lauded the ongoing efforts to revitalize IGAD and pledged their full support and commitment to making the revitalization successful.