Kenya and Somalia have announced the resumption of normal business between Nairobi and Mogadishu after a brief hiatus.
In a joint communiqué issued following a meeting between Kenyan President Uhuru Kenya and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the two neighboring countries agreed to collaborate on areas of mutual interest in order to enhance bilateral relations.
As a result, based on the current Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), Kenya Airways (KQ) planned flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately.
The two countries have also committed to facilitate, diversify, and boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
“The two presidents…directed the immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to Kenya and vice versa, the resumption of trade in Khat (miraa) from Kenya to Somalia, to resume with immediate effect,” the statement read
And in order to ease the movement of people and enhance trade in goods and services, President Kenyatta and his visitor Sheikh Mohamud have also agreed on the immediate opening of the border between the two countries.
“The two Presidents…directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) between Kenya and Somalia be convened in Mogadishu in August 2022 to discuss and agree on matters of mutual interest such as joint security activities, defense, agriculture, trade, intelligence exchange, health, education, training in various fields, and continuous review of the visa regime,” read part of the Communiqué
Given the security situation, the two Presidents have also recommitted to the fight against terrorism. In order to ensure success, Kenyatta and Sheikh Mohamud directed the security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their efforts in the fight to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of both countries, while upscaling the fight against terrorism.
