JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA BY H.E. HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA ON 15TH JULY, 2022 IN NAIROBI, KENYA

On July 15, 2022 In Statements and Speeches

At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President of the Republic

of Kenya, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal

Republic of Somalia paid a two-day Official Visit to Kenya from 15 th – 16 th

July 2022. The two Heads of State held bilateral talks at State House

Nairobi on Friday 15 th July, 2022.

Their Excellencies the Presidents were accompanied by Senior

Government Officials from both countries.

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated H.E. President Hassan

Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President of the Federal Republic of

Somalia and at the same time lauded the people of Somalia for a peaceful

election and transition.

The two Heads of State led their delegations in high-level bilateral talks,

which reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues,

with emphasis on strengthening the existing bilateral ties between the two

countries.

In this regard, the two Presidents:

1. Emphasized on the importance of cordial bilateral relations, bonds of

heritage and shared destiny that exists between the people of Kenya

and the people of Somalia, which are defined by a common desire for

peace, stability, prosperity and respect for the sovereign and

territorial integrity of both Kenya and Somalia.

2. Reaffirmed the shared commitment of the two countries to work

together on areas of mutual interest and to deepen bilateral relations.

3. Towards this end, the two Presidents recommitted to the fight

against terrorism, and in order to ensure success, directed the

security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their efforts in

this fight to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of both

countries, while upscaling the fight against terrorism.

4. Agreed that Kenya and Somalia will collaborate with other regional

and international actors to provide the much-needed humanitarian

assistance to mitigate the effects of the current drought in the Horn of

Africa region.

5. Further agreed that the Kenya Airways (KQ) scheduled flights to

Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral

Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be reviewed by the

relevant Authorities.

6. Further agreed, to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and

economic cooperation between the two countries. Directed the

immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to

Kenya and vice versa, the resumption of trade in Khat (miraa) from

Kenya to Somalia, to resume with immediate effect.

7. Further Directed the relevant agencies to implement the issuance of

Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis, on arrival, for Dignitaries,

Senators and Diplomats who hold Diplomatic Passports and a Note

Verbale from the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs. For holders

of Somali Service Passports, Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis on

arrival will be issued within Forty – Eight (48) hours, after completion

of Online Visa Application accompanied by a Note Verbale from the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

8. Further underscored the need to process visas for holders of

ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten (10)

working days.

9. Agreed on the opening of the border between the two countries in

order to ease the movement of people and enhance trade in goods

and services.

10. Directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) between

Kenya and Somalia be convened in Mogadishu in August 2022 to

discuss and agree on matters of mutual interest such as joint security

activities, defense, agriculture, trade, intelligence exchange, health,

education, training in various fields, and continuous review of the visa

regime.

11. Directed the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to ensure the

implementation of the issues agreed upon by the two Presidents

within two (2) weeks from the date of this Joint Communique.

Issued in NAIROBI.

Date: 15 th July 2022

………………………………………

AMB. MACHARIA KAMAU, CBS

……………………………………………….

H.E. AMB. MOHAMED ALI – NUR HAGI

PRINCIPAL SECREATRY

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

PERMANENT SECRETARY

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF

SOMALIA