Foreign ministers meet to settle Kenya-Somalia ties

After years of a frigid relationship, Kenya and Somalia have reached an agreement to improve diplomatic, trade and other mutual ties between them together. This came up following a meeting of both countries’ foreign ministers in Mogadishu over the weekend.

A joint statement released by the Somali foreign affairs ministry said they agreed to organise a meeting for a joint framework to discuss issues of mutual interest in areas which include diplomatic relations, trade, education, agriculture, defence and security, tourism among others.

The ministers also welcomed the return of respective ambassadors to Mogadishu and Nairobi.

Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed met the Kenyan foreign minister and welcomed the outcome of the talks expressing his commitment to pursue peace and “good neighbourliness”.

Kenya and Somalia’s relations have been strained in recent years over Kenya’s alleged interference in Mogadishu’s domestic affairs as well over a maritime boundary dispute in the Indian Ocean among other issues.

P.E/S.S/BBC