NAIROBI, July 16 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya and Somalia have announced the resumption of normal business between Nairobi and Mogadishu after a brief hiatus.
In a joint communiqué released after a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the two neighboring countries have committed to work together on areas of mutual interest to deepen bilateral relations.
Accordingly, the Kenya Airways (KQ) scheduled flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
The two countries have also agreed to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
“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.
To facilitate entry and exit of/from Nairobi and Mogadishu, relevant agencies have been directed to implement the issuance of Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis, on arrival, for Dignitaries, Senators, and Diplomats who hold Diplomatic Passports and a Note Verbale from the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
“For holders of Somali Service Passports, Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis on arrival will be issued within Forty – Eight (48) hours, after completion of Online Visa Application accompanied by a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,” said the statement signed by Kenya’s Foreign Affair Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau and his Somalia counterpart Mohamed Ali. — NNN-KBC
