NAIROBI, Kenya – In a significant development for East African diplomacy, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Kenya on May 18, 2024, marking his third visit to the neighboring country within a month. The visit underscores the growing collaboration between Somalia and Kenya, focusing on peace, security, and economic cooperation.
President Mohamud was received by Kenyan President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi. The leaders held discussions centered on enhancing peace and security in the Horn of Africa region and exploring areas of collaboration in trade and investment.
The visit comes amid renewed efforts to bolster diplomatic and security partnerships in the region to address its intersecting challenges of militant violence, political instability, and humanitarian crises.
The Somali president’s visit to Kenya is part of a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening regional cooperation. Prior to this, Mohamud visited Kenya on April 11, 2024, for a one-day official visit to enhance the relationship between the two countries and to address regional security challenges.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the development of bilateral ties, promoting regional stability, and enhancing joint efforts to combat terrorism and improve peace and security in the region.
Mohamud’s visit to Kenya also comes at a time of heightened tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. Somalia has expressed its displeasure over Ethiopia’s Prime Minister signing a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, to establish a naval base.
Mohamud has previously declined a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, setting a condition that Ethiopia cancel the agreement with Somaliland first.
In the context of these developments, the visit by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Kenya is seen as a step towards strengthening regional cooperation and addressing the challenges faced by the Horn of Africa region.
The leaders’ commitment to working together to eradicate terrorism, which is a major challenge for the development and life of the people of the region, is a testament to their resolve to bring peace and stability to the region.
As the two countries move forward with their collaboration, the international community will be watching closely. The African Union and the US have backed the territorial integrity of Somalia and urged all parties to cool tensions.
The success of these diplomatic efforts will not only benefit Somalia and Kenya but also contribute to the broader stability and prosperity of the Horn of Africa region.
