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Somalia and Kenya sign co-operation agreement

Storyline:National News

Kenya and Somalia on Sunday inked cooperation agreement to help boost bilateral ties between the two countries in the capital city of Ethiopia.

Somalia’s foreign minister, Abdisalam Hadliye Omar told journalists in Addis Ababa that both Kenya and Somalia renewed the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC)  which will provide a framework for the promotion of ties as well as enhancing of all future engagements.

“The JCC which its work is renewed after every five year, identifies the key priority areas that both countries need work on, in order to strengthen bilateral links,” Hadliye said.

The deal comes barely weeks after Kenya lost dozens of its soldiers to El-Adde attack which which carried out by Al-Shabab fighters.

“However, the implementation of the agreements faced challenges,” Hadliye said.

The Horn of Africa nation has been trying hold talks with East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (EACCIA) as it seeks to attract regional investors to help it rebuild its economy.

The Horn of Africa nation has not been in the mainstream regional business since early 1990s when the central administration collapsed, giving way to a civil war that nearly ended following the intervention of the African Union through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Analysts say the Horn of Africa nation has improved security which has enhanced investor confidence, including those seeking contracts in reconstruction in a country where infrastructure has been reduced to a bare minimum by over 20 years of war.

Somalia is considered a virgin investment market usually characterized by high levels of return on investment, raising the appetite for regional investors.

According to the Kenyan government, the JCC will upscale engagements including cross-border security, joint infrastructure development projects as well as cultural exchanges.

“Technical experts from the two countries will commence discussions within two weeks in order to lay the ground for the implementation of the JCC,” Hadliye said.

He noted that the good relations between neighbours also have occasional hiccups due to movement and attacks of Al-Shabab on both sides.

“That’s why both nations agreed on the JCC in order to deal with issues as they crop up,” he said.

Hadliye pointed out that his country has restored a lot of the basic social services that were disrupted by the 20 year civil turmoil.

“Today as we speak, things are a lot better, except for a few pockets that are occupied by the Al-Shabab group,” he said.

After decades of factional fighting, the Horn of Africa nation has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with a series of landmark steps that have helped bring an end to the country’s political rifts on 2016 election.

Hadliye praised the Kenya’s generosity for hosting the largest number of Somalia’s refugees.

“Kenya has also played a significant role in stabilizing Somalia through the deployment of troops for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),” he said.