Kenya and Uganda will arbitrate the conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia

President William Ruto of Kenya announced on Saturday that he and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will assist in mediating a conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia that might destabilize the Horn of Africa.

With plans to create a port in the breakaway province of Somaliland, landlocked Ethiopia, which has hundreds of soldiers in Somalia to combat terrorists with ties to al Qaeda, has infuriated the government in Mogadishu.

Despite being able to govern itself and enjoying relative peace and stability since proclaiming independence in 1991, Somaliland has had difficulty gaining international recognition. In exchange for the port, Somaliland may potentially be recognized as an independent entity from Ethiopia.

The conflict has brought Somalia closer to Ethiopia’s enemies Eritrea and Egypt, which have been at odds with Ethiopia for years over Addis Ababa’s development of a massive hydro project on the Nile River.

“Because the security of Somalia… contributes significantly to the stability of our region, and the environment for investors, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs to thrive,” Ruto said during a regional heads of state summit and a news conference.

The conflict has not been resolved in Ankara, Turkey, despite several attempts.

Although Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office did not mention a possible mediation, it did say in a statement that Mohamud had met with Ruto and Museveni outside of the summit.

The foreign minister of Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, told Reuters that while regional leaders’ earlier decisions had been ignored in Addis Ababa, he was certain that Turkey’s continued mediation efforts would be successful.

Requests for response from Ethiopia’s foreign affairs and government officials were not immediately answered.