Kenya and Somalia have agreed to ‘reset’ their diplomatic ties that have been strained by committing to implement the 2015 Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
The latest development follows Tuesday talks between Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein, the prime minister of Somalia held in Mombasa city.
President Kenyatta said the Joint Commission for Cooperation defines the scope of the two countries’ collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, transport, defense and security.
“Prosperity of our people is key. Let us open a new page for our people by encouraging people-to-people and interactions,” he said in a statement after the bilateral talks.
“Without peace, there cannot be prosperity. Let us focus on providing services to our people. This can only be possible if we work together to root out terrorism,” he said.
“It’s time to improve trade and sort out immigration issues to allow increased people-to-people interactions.”
On the other hand, Hussein acknowledged the historical relationship that exists between Kenya and Somalia, is based on “good neighborliness, cooperation, stability and mutual respect”.
“Today is the beginning of a strong and deep relationship of our brotherhood. Somalia will work hard to strengthen the Joint Commission for Cooperation in the interest of both people, their unity and stability, and beyond the region and the continent,” Hussein said.
“Somalia will work hard to strengthen the Joint Commission for Cooperation in the interest of both peoples, their unity and stability and beyond the region and the continent,” Mr Roble said.
“We will look for opportunities that lead to lasting stability and peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and genuine cooperation while avoiding anything that could harm that relationship.”
President Kenyatta was accompanied to the bilateral meeting by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs) and Peter Munya (Agriculture) among other senior Government officials.
