Kenya and Ethiopia ink deal in the fight against terrorism

NAIROBI, Kenya - The governments of Kenya and Ethiopia have reaffirmed the need for close cooperation in the fight against terrorism, with the two countries struggling to contain Al-Shabaab militants who have been making inroads in border areas as they seek to expand territory.

On Monday, Kenya's intelligence chief Philip Kameru and his Ethiopian counterpart Temesgen Tiruneh penned the break which focuses on the prevention of terrorism, organized crime, and human trafficking, in what would shape sharing of intelligence reports.

The two countries have been facing challenges along their borders with Somalia, with Kenya suffering immense consequences given frequent Al-Shabaab terror attacks. On the other hand, Ethiopia managed to prevent Al-Shabaab from making inroads into her territory.

The core agreement as stated in the signed document joint combating of local and regional threats; such as terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, illegal financial transfer, illegal militants, illegal human trafficking, transnational organized crimes, and threats, state-owned Fana reports.

Ethiopia maintains that it is ready to work with friendly neighbors to thwart security threats that could trigger more destalinization. Currently, the country is struggling to contain the Tigray war which has left thousands of people dead and millions displaced according to the United Nations.

Saif Salem Suleman, the head of the delegation at Kenya’s National Intelligence Service, pointed out that terrorism, illegal weapons, money, and human trafficking are threats to East Africa.

Kenya has been one of the closest allies of the United States and other Western countries in terms of security and trade, with both the US and the United Kingdom establishing army training bases in the country. The two friendly nations have been assisting Nairobi with major security logistics.

Al-Shabaab has appeared to be the common enemy of the two countries which border Somalia. Both countries are contributors to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] which has been fighting to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation for over a decade.

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