Somali PM seeks to fix ties with Kenya on maiden trip

The relations have been restored this month following Qatar mediation. 

News Keydmedia Online
29 May 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Prime minister of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble is heading to Kenya in the coming few days on his maiden first visit to the East Africa country.

Sources at the PM's office revealed to Keymedia English that Roble Somalia will be traveling to Nairobi this week on a mission to finalize the recently restored diplomatic ties with neighboring Kenya.

Both countries thanked Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for playing a key part in the reconciliation and mediation that led to the normalization of the ties early this month.

The outgoing president Farmajo who is seeking re-election has severed relations in December 2020, accusing Nairobi of meddling in the internal affairs of Somalia, mainly the upcoming elections, a claim that Nairobi has repeatedly rejected.

For almost ten years, Somalia and Kenya engaged in a long-running Indian ocean maritime boundary dispute as both fighting to control valuable deposits of oil and gas, and Mogadishu has sought ICJ arbitration over the matter.

Kenya is one of the contributors of troops to AMISOM, a strong AU force battling Al-Shabaab militants who are waging a violent campaign as they seek to unseat the Somali government.

KEYDMEDIA English