Kenya, Ethiopia ink cross border deal to foster peace, development

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NAIROBI, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan and Ethiopian governments on Thursday signed an agreement on cross border program to help foster peace and socio-economic development by unlocking the economic potential of the region.

The Kenya-Ethiopia Cross Border Program for Sustainable Peace and Socio-Economic Development, a joint UN and governments of Kenya and Ethiopia will help boost economic growth, reduce poverty and promoting business activities in the Horn of Africa through cross border cooperation.

Speaking after signing the deal in Nairobi, Kenya's Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said the UN Development Programe (UNDP)-backed agreement will contribute towards the building of capacity and resilience of local communities, identify and implement sustainable livelihood projects and help develop conflict management strategies.

"The program will help vulnerability and increase the resilience of communities affected by conflict and climate induced migration in the area," Rotich said.

Rotich said such cooperation creates opportunities for trade within The Horn of Africa and investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

The program that will cover Marsabit County in Northern Kenya and Borana-Dawa zones in Southern Ethiopia aim to unlock the economic potential of communities living in the Kenya-Ethiopia border and promote inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

Ethiopia's Minister for Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs Kassa Teklebrhan said the development plan will help in solving challenges along the Horn of Africa region that has been present for many years.

Teklebrhan said the program will effectively contribute towards the management of natural resources, improved infrastructure and facilitates cross border movement of people.

"We hope this program will contribute hugely towards addressing inequality and poverty that are associated with the two border communities," he added.

The minister called on regional and local authorities of the two countries to mobilize local resources to the implementation of prioritized projects since the external support only serves as catalysts.

The signing of the cross border deal effectively gives way to an intensive and extensive resource mobilization exercise through the support of the projects envisaged.

Stephano Dejak, the European Union Representative in Kenya has announced 70.4 million U.S dollars emergency trust fund for stability in addressing the root cause of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa.

He said that out of the total amount, the Kenya-Ethiopia program will receive 3.8 million dollars while the rest of the amount will be used for the same purpose in Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia border and Western Ethiopia and East Sudan.

"The assistance is set to help address the drivers of instability, irregular migration and displacement in three cross border areas," Dejak said. Enditem

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