Somalia’s president visits Kenya on 2nd leg of 1st East Africa trip

Kenya contributes nearly 4,000 soldiers to the African Union mission Somalia and its KDF forces are operating in the Jubaland state under Ahmed Madobe, a key ally of Nairobi.

News Keydmedia Online
15 July 2022

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Friday on the second leg of his first East Africa trip since he was re-elected last May.

The new head of state received an invitation to visit Nairobi from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is reported to be putting pressure on Mogadishu to lift a two-year ban on khat imports.

Diplomatic sources told Keydmedia Online that Mohamud and Uhuru are expected to discuss ways to resume diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya after years of hiatus.

Kenya contributes nearly 4,000 soldiers to the African Union [AU] mission Somalia and its KDF forces are operating in the Jubaland state under Ahmed Madobe, a key ally of Nairobi.

Last month, Mohamud paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates [UAE] for talks with the Gulf Arab country’s new ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who eyes strong ties with the new Somalia Govt.

Somalia's diplomatic ties with UAE have been strained by the seizure of $9.6 million in cash at Mogadishu airport by NISA in April 2018 under the leadership of Farmajo, who lost in the May election.

After the Abu Dhabi trip, the Somali president traveled to Turkey and Eritrea and held talks with Erdogan and Afwerki. In Asmara, he visited the missing 5,000 Somali soldiers long held against their will at camps.

Scroll down for pictures:

KEYDMEDIA English