Kenya and Somalia will restore the visa on arrival arrangement as the relationship between the two countries takes a new turn.
The latest development aims at enhancing the movement of people and goods between the two countries.
In recent times, Kenya and Somalia have had murky relations. The agreement to ease travel between the two nations came after Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed met with President Uhuru, following the recently concluded ICPD25 summit.
“Brothers and sisters from Somalia will be able to obtain their visas when they arrive,” said President Uhuru in a press conference.
The bilateral agreement also allowed direct flights from Nairobi to Mogadishu. Previously, flights from the Kenyan capital had to stop for security checks in Wajir, making the journey slightly longer. The President promised direct flights between the two capitals starting in a week’s time.
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“We want to encourage our people to do business and visit families. We have also discussed flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu, which currently go through Wajir. The necessary authority will facilitate mechanisms to have direct flights within a week.”
Kenya and Somalia still have to solve the maritime border case at the ICJ, scheduled for hearing in June 2020. However, the two countries have agreed to continue building diplomatic relationships amid the border differences.
Maritime Disputes Will not Strain Bilateral Relations
President Farmajo highlighted that Kenya and Somalia have a lot in common, in business and among its people. Furthermore, the leader highlighted that he is keen to make sure that the ongoing ICJ case does not interfere with the relations of the two countries.
“I can assure you that the ICJ issue will not affect our (Kenya and Somalia) relationship” Farmajo reiterated.
“We will sit and continue to find solutions that are beneficial to both our countries and people,” President Uhuru noted.
