National

Kenya, Somalia renew joint fight against terrorism

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, April 11, 2024

The two met in Nairobi on Thursday and discussed joint initiatives to fight terrorism and general insecurity in the region.

President William Ruto has affirmed Kenya's commitment to working with Somalia to bolster peace and security in the region, following a meeting with his counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The two met at the State House in Nairobi on Thursday, a key diplomatic encounter that discussed joint initiatives to fight terrorism and general insecurity, all for the sake of stability in East Africa.

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Hosted President @HassanSMohamud of Somalia at @StateHouseKenya, Nairobi and discussed joint initiatives to fight terrorism and general insecurity in… pic.twitter.com/uvw31U5wR6
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 11, 2024

Hassan travelled to Nairobi for a day-long working visit on Ruto's invitation and was received by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

Villa Somalia said the two presidents deliberated on strategies to eradicate the terror group Al-Shabaab, which remains of concern as it has continued to stage attacks both in Kenya and the neighbouring country.

Although Al-Shabaab was driven out of Mogadishu by an African Union force in 2011, it retains a strong presence in rural Somalia and has carried out numerous attacks against political, security and civilian targets. The terrorists have had similar targets in Kenya.

President @HassanSMohamud arrives in Nairobi, Kenya, for a one-day working visit. During his visit, the President will hold talks with his Kenyan counterpart, H.E. President @WilliamsRuto, on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/PxbgAtj5fe
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) April 11, 2024

Ruto and Hassan's meeting also came amid diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over its Red Sea access deal with Somaliland.

The Kenyan leader and Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti have been actively engaged in behind-the-scenes initiatives to address the dispute.

Kenya has been instrumental in the back-channel diplomacy, with President Ruto reportedly endorsing the efforts. Thus far, however, retaliatory actions between the two nations continue, including Somalia's expulsion of Ethiopian ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware and the closure of Ethiopian consulates in Somaliland and Puntland.

Sources familiar with the back-channel diplomatic efforts say they have ended without a conclusive outcome.

Representatives from Somalia and Ethiopia convened in Nairobi in early March, but direct talks between officials from the two countries have yet to materialise.

President Hassan previously declined a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, demanding that he cancel the agreement with Somaliland before engaging in direct dialogue

As diplomatic initiatives continue, the outcome of the discussions between Somalia and Ethiopia remains uncertain. However, the meeting between Presidents Ruto and Hassan signals a step towards regional cooperation in addressing security challenges and pursuing other mutual interests.