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Kenya, Ethiopia to Resolve Border Dispute
Kenya and Ethiopia have pledged to resolve conflicts along the common border through dialog, the East African Standard reported Thursday.
Kenyan Minister of State Marsden Madoka, who is in charge of internal security, was quoted as saying that the only way to maintain peace and stability along the common border was to hold regular meetings between the two sides.
He also appealed to leaders in the two countries to exercise restraint while resolving cross-border issues.
"Leaders on both sides should implement resolutions as quickly as possible to avoid repeating similar problems. We would like to ensure that the loss of lives is minimized," said Madoka.
Madoka made such remarks Wednesday when meeting with a visiting Ethiopian delegation led by Ethiopian Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Tsadikan Tensay and Ethiopian Vice Foreign Minister Tekeda Alemu.
The recent attacks allegedly by Ethiopian militiamen have resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Kenyan civilians and policemen.
The Kenyan minister said that the border between the two countries was very porous and announced that regular patrols will be carried out to ensure security and curb incursions.
Tensay said that they had "very fruitful talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations", adding that despite the border skirmishes, bilateral relations were still cordial.
The Ethiopian general regretted the deaths caused by "clan differences" along the border, but dismissed the incidents as " minor and can be managed easily" .
The Ethiopian general warned that "those who want to drive a wedge between peoples of the two countries will not succeed".
The delegation also met Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi Tuesday to deliver a special message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
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