Ethiopia and Kenya differ on Somalia

Kenya plans to help create an autonomous region on the border with Somalia as one way of stabilising the lawless country.

A leaked US embassy cable says the Jubaland region will provide a buffer zone and prevent the entry of refugees and illegal arms into the country.

However, Ethiopia is not enthusiastic about the plan, dubbed the Jubaland Initiative, because of its likely impact on its own Somali-dominated Ogaden region where rebels are fighting for autonomy.

Addis Ababa also doubts Kenya’s tactical capacity to carry out the plan given the strong presence of al-Shabaab rebels in Jubaland whose capital city is Kismayo. The rebels are opposed to a breakaway Jubaland.
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