Joint Communique between Kenya & Somalia issued in Nairobi

The following is a joint communique issued by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya Amb. Macharia Kamau CBS and H.E. Mohamed Ali Nur Hagi, the permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the 15th July 2022 in Nairobi Kenya.

At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia paid a two-day Official Visit to Kenya from 15th – 16th July 2022. The two Heads of State held bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Friday 15th July, 2022.

Their Excellencies the Presidents were accompanied by Senior Government Officials from both countries.
H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and at the same time lauded the people of Somalia for a peaceful election and transition.

The two Heads of State led their delegations in high-level bilateral talks, which reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, with emphasis on strengthening the existing bilateral ties between the two countries. In this regard, the two Presidents:

1. Emphasized on the importance of cordial bilateral relations, bonds of heritage and shared destiny that exists between the people of Kenya and the people of Somalia, which are defined by a common desire for peace, stability, prosperity and respect for the sovereign and territorial integrity of both Kenya and Somalia.
2. Reaffirmed the shared commitment of the two countries to work together on areas of mutual interest and to deepen bilateral relations.
3. Towards this end, the two Presidents recommitted to the fight against terrorism, and in order to ensure success, directed the security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their efforts in this fight to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of both countries, while upscaling the fight against terrorism.
4. Agreed that Kenya and Somalia will collaborate with other regional and international actors to provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance to mitigate the effects of the current drought in the Horn of Africa region.
5. Further agreed that the Kenya Airways (KQ) scheduled flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be reviewed by the
   relevant Authorities.
6. Further agreed, to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Directed the immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to
   Kenya and vice versa, the resumption of trade in Khat (miraa) from Kenya to Somalia, to resume with immediate effect.
7. Further Directed the relevant agencies 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.
8. Further underscored the need to process visas for holders of ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten (10) working days.
9. 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.
10. Directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) between Kenya and Somalia be convened in Mogadishu in August 2022 to discuss and agree on matters of mutual interest such as joint security activities, defense, agriculture, trade, intelligence exchange, health, education, training in various fields, and continuous review of the visa regime.
11. Directed the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to ensure the implementation of the issues agreed upon by the two Presidents within two (2) weeks from the date of this Joint Communique.

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AMB. MACHARIA KAMAU, CBS H.E. AMB. MOHAMED ALI – NUR HAGI