Toronto – Ethiopia and Uganda held talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa as President Museveni visits Cairo where he attended “Egypt-Uganda Business Forum.” 

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday disclosed Mulimba John, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs who is in charge of regional cooperation, held talks with  his counterpart Ambassador Hadera Abera.  

“The discussions focused on further deepening the longstanding bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation and regional peace and security,” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. 

On the part of Ethiopia, strengthening joint Ministerial Commission meetings  is emphasized as a mechanism to enhance partnership between the two countries.  The two counties have been having the ministerial commission for several decades now.  

Strengthening regional blocks like the Intergovernmental Authority on  Development (IGAD) as a means in the quest for the realization of the African Union Agenda 2023 was also highlighted on the part of Ethiopia. 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was raised in the discussion as well. Ethiopia sees the importance of intensifying cooperation in the areas of business and investment. 

Mulimba John has reportedly expressed “Uganda’s commitment to reinforce previously signed agreements with the aim of advancing bilateral relations.”

Strengthening cooperation in the area of regional peace and security is another area where Uganda attaches great importance.  

Combatting terrorism and cooperation to “ensure the fair and equitable utilization of transboundary water resources, and advocate for African solutions to African problems,” are also areas Mulimba discussed.

Ethiopia and Uganda have many many years of diplomatic relations. Both countries are signatories of the Nile Basin Agreement – something that Egypt was angry about. 

Egypt has reportedly been undertaking diplomatic and political campaigns to foil the agreement which was not a success. 

During a meeting with Museveni in Cario this week, President El Sisi has reportedly said that he will not allow the Nile Water to be  touched, as reported by Ahram.  

 Ethiopia has been rejecting Egypt’s monopoly of the Nile water and advocating for equitable use of the longest river on earth. Uganda and Ethiopia seem to be on the same page when it comes to the use of Nile Water Resource – perhaps the reason why El-Sisi had to tell Museveni that it will not “allow the water to be touched.”  Borkena