Kenya and Somalia have once again emphasized their strong commitment to fostering mutual cooperation aimed at enhancing socio-economic development during a high-level meeting between President William Ruto and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Uganda on Saturday, January 11.
The two leaders reaffirmed the excellent diplomatic relations between their nations, which have seen significant growth, especially following Somalia’s accession to the East African Community (EAC) in 2024. President Ruto expressed his satisfaction with the strengthened ties, highlighting the increased business exchanges, with Somalia purchasing goods worth Sh5 billion in the first nine months of 2024 alone. This economic engagement, he noted, is a testament to the success of the collaboration between the two countries.
On the issue of peace and security, President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to continued support for efforts aimed at ensuring stability in Somalia. He emphasized that peace in the Horn of Africa is critical for regional prosperity and security, and Kenya will remain an active partner in peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives in the region.
The meeting, which focused on the broader goal of addressing hunger across the African continent, also underscored the importance of agriculture as a driver of economic growth and job creation. Both leaders highlighted the need for African nations to invest in infrastructure, embrace innovation, and adopt sustainable practices to build resilient food systems and improve food security for their populations.
Somalia’s accession to the EAC marks a significant step towards strengthening regional integration, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi hailed this move, stating that it will pave the way for enhanced trade and investment opportunities. The ongoing diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and Somalia are poised to continue growing, benefiting both nations and the wider region.
As Kenya and Somalia reaffirm their partnership, it is clear that the future of the Horn of Africa rests on the strength of their collaboration, not only in trade and security but also in ensuring long-term peace and prosperity.
