Kenya’s diplomatic team agenda in Mogadishu in latest high-level visit

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov, 8 – A high ranking Kenyan diplomatic team on Saturday held bilateral talks with their Somali counterparts in Mogadishu.

This is the latest in a series of activities meant to sustain a bilateral relationship between the two Eastern Africa countries currently pitted in a maritime dispute.

The Kenyan delegation was led by the Principal secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Macharia Kamau who was received by his Somali counterpart Amb. Mohamed Ali-Nur Haji.

Shahidi News has established that the two discussed several issues that were described as, “of great importance to both country.”

Particularly, the talks revolved on, bilateral and regional cooperation, security and trade.

“As Somalia makes significant progress in business, economic and social development, security an other historical challenges, though real must not be allowed to stand in our way,” Amb. Kamau said.

On his part Amb. Haji, who is the Somali Foreign Minister said, “We must continue strengthening our bilateral relations and ways to improve the prospects for cooperation.”

Historically Kenya and Somalia have enjoyed good diplomatic relations.

Since the civil war in the 1990s and recent attacks by terror group Al-shahab on Kenyan soil, the relationship between the two neighbouring countries was considered to be on thin ice.

Kenya and Somalia are currently at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over a maritime dispute which both countries lay claim.

Renewed diplomatic ties in recent years between Nairobi and Mogadishu is however slowly mending the cracks that exists.

Relationship between Kenya and Somalia, though slightly wavering, remains cordial.