KQ Scheduled Flights To Mogadishu To Resume Immediately

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16- The Kenya Airways flights to Mogadishu in Somalia are set to resume, after talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his visiting counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

A Communique from the State House was released after the Friday bilateral talks revealed the flights will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be reviewed by the relevant Authorities.

Kenya and Somalia have been at loggerheads during the tenure of former President Mohamed Abdullahi alias Farmaajo.

The situation was worsened by a prolonged maritime border dispute between the two countries, that ended at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Following the talks, the State House said relevant authorities from both Countries were 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,” reads the Communique.

The two leaders, “further underscored the need to process visas for holders of ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten (10) working days.”

They also agreed on the opening of the border between the two countries, “in order to ease the movement of people and enhance trade in goods and services.”