Kenya and Somalia to open borders and launch direct flights

janet ndila

March 24, 2017 8:05 AM

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that Kenya and Somalia are planning to re-launch direct flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu..

Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and President Uhuru Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that Kenya and Somalia are planning to re-launch direct flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu as well as open two border posts.

Addressing a joint press conference with Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at State House, Kenyatta stated that the two countries had agreed to revitalise their engagement in all areas of mutual interests.

“In particular, we agreed to take the following actions: Within the shortest possible time, open two border posts in Dobley-Liboi, and Mandera-Bulahawa. And to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.

“Directed the security teams from both countries to meet immediately and agree on modalities of re-launching direct flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu within two weeks,” the President said.

The Head of State also said that the two neighbouring countries had resolved that forthwith there would be no visa requirement for diplomatic and service passport holders from both countries.

“We also agreed to meet regularly to monitor the progress of our bilateral relations,” Kenyatta stated.

The Somalia President and Kenyatta agreed that the fight against Al-Shabaab would continue until the outlawed group was no longer considered a threat.

“Al-Shabaab remains ready to kill innocent people in both Kenya and Somalia,” President Kenyatta affirmed.

President Mohamed lauded Kenya as one of Somalia’s strongest ally and partners in East Africa, hosting the largest number of Somali refugees for decades and contributing to the peace and stability of Somalia through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

“Our cooperation is indeed critical to our historic relations and our continuous efforts to fight insecurity and poverty,” said President Mohamed.

janet ndila