President William Ruto on Tuesday, October 22, held talks with Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at State House, Nairobi, after Mohamud arrived in the country for a two-day official visit.
In a joint communiqué issued by State House, the two leaders discussed bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
"They hailed the warm, fraternal, and cordial relations between the two countries and emphasised the need to deepen and enhance the vibrant bilateral cooperation that exists between the two countries," read part of the joint communiqué.
The two Heads of State also emphasised their commitment to finding solutions that honour the rights and aspirations of both nations as they work towards robust bilateral relations.
Similarly, they discussed the security situation in Somalia, underscoring the need to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa.
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"Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warmly commended Dr. William Ruto for his tireless support of Somalia’s state-building efforts and his remarkable role in the restoration of peace, security, and stability in Somalia. He also acknowledged the significant role of the Kenya Defence Forces in the fight against terrorism alongside Somali Security Forces and other ATMIS troop-contributing countries," read the joint communiqué.
Ruto and Mohamud welcomed the establishment of the new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will build on the achievements of its predecessor, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
They emphasised the need for a smooth transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to AUSSOM which is scheduled to commence on January 1, 2025.
Additionally, the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations in trade and investment.
"Recognising the vast opportunities in trade, the two leaders committed to working towards resolving barriers to further opening markets and facilitating the movement of goods and services.
"They directed the Ministers responsible for Trade to explore ways to enhance trade between the two countries and encouraged the private sector to benefit from the pro-business policies adopted by both governments," the joint communiqué stated.
