Farmajo and Uhuru agree to hold dialogue amid AU pressure

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart Farmajo have reportedly agreed to hold dialogue amid escalating tensions between the two nations, which featured in the 38th extraordinary summit of IGAD's Heads of States and governments in Djibouti on Sunday.

Somalia had written to IGAD chair Abdalla Hamdok, the Sudanese PM, accusing Kenya of "interfering with our internal politics" in a letter signed by Farmajo. The Horn of Africa nation claimed Kenya was supporting militia in the Gedo region, and that was plotting an attack against the Somali National Army [SNA].

But Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janan, a close ally of President Ahmed Madobe, dismissed the allegations as "untrue" while insisting that Kenya remains a true friend of Somalia. Mogadishu had withdrawn her envoys from Nairobi.

And during the extraordinary summit, Farmajo and Uhuru met for the first time in as many months with sources terming their meeting "difficult". However, a swift intervention by Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Omar Guelleh is said to have salvaged the situation.

Although both parties agreed to initiate dialogue over the escalating tensions, no definite date has been set and it's not clear who will be arbiters. Somalia's upcoming elections are said to have contributed to the ongoing standoff according to multiple sources.

Earlier, the AU Commission chief Moussa Faki had warned Somalia against "harassing" Kenya albeit indirectly in a tough-worded statement. Faki called for tolerance, citing the presence of KDF troops in Somalia and the fact that Kenya plays homage to thousands of Somali refugees.

"The recent tensions between Kenya and Somalia have raised concerns to the African Union," he said, adding that: "We appeal to both parties to give dialogue a chance. We must just put in mind that Kenya is one of the AMISOM force contributing nation and hosts several Somali refugees."

The leaders did not issue a joint communique after the meeting by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed praised efforts by the Horn of Africa leaders to come together for the summit. The summit also discussed his onslaught against TPLF in the Tigray region.

"The strength of stability in our region is based on cooperation for growth and development. I am glad as leaders we can come around the table and discuss pressing issues in our region," said the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner, whose administration is in shambles.

Kenya has been using Jubaland as a buffer zone in the fight against Al-Shabaab but Mogadishu believes that such dominance undermines her influence. Somalia has been sending troops to the borders with Kenya, something which has triggered anxiety in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE