Somalia and Kenya agree on direct flights from Mogadishu to Nairobi

Travelers from Mogadishu will in the next two weeks fly directly to Nairobi without the usual stop-over in Wajir, Presidents of Kenya and Somalia announced Thursday adding to a similar announcement last September.

In a statement following bilateral talks between the two leaders in Nairobi which is part of President Farmaajo’s three day state visit to Kenya, the leaders said security teams from both countries are under instructions to work out modalities to effect the agreement.

“We have directed the security teams from both countries to meet immediately and agree on modalities of re-launching direct flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu within two weeks,” a statement from Kenya’s presidency read in part.

President Mohamed Farmaajo hailed the decision terming it crucial not only in easing passenger movement but also bolstering trade between the two countries.

“When it comes to trade, I believe that the answer is not only to remove barriers to trade but to do trade right, making sure it has strong labour standards and strong environment standards to ensure the rights of our people are protected,” said Farmaajo.

President Farmaajo noted the two countries enjoyed relations spanning over long period of time especially in dealing with issues affecting the two countries.

“Our cooperation is indeed critical to our historic relations and our continuous efforts to fight insecurity and poverty,” said President Mohamed.

The announcement follows a similar one September 4 last year by Kenya’s foreign affairs secretary Amina Mohamed that direct flights would relaunch in December. The minister made the statement following the conclusion of the IGAD heads of states summit in Mogadishu last year. To date the status remains.

A Kenyan aviation official said January the Wajir stop over would still stand. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director-general, Gilbert Kibe said the Wajir  was a bufferzone for vetting operators and passengers and would be in place until ‘government’s security high command states otherwise.’

Diplomatic and service passport holders from both countries will from now henceforth not need entry visa in each of the two countries, the leaders announced.

President Kenyatta also announced the re-opening of border posts in in Dobley-Liboi, and Mandera-Bulahawa to ‘to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services’. These, measures, the two leaders observed would revitalize their engagement in all areas of mutual interests within the context of a reactivated joint commission of cooperation.

Meanwhile, Kenya will help train 200 teachers and a similar number of nurses and a further 100 administrators within its institutions and at the cost of the Kenyan government, the statement read in what could be seen as reinforcing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Kenya will also will establish a technical training institute for youths currently in refugee camps and its environs, President Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan president also called for scaling up of efforts to strengthen capacity of forces serving in Somali and Somalia’s security system ahead of a drawn down from next year.

“One immediate way in which we can do that is to scale up the efforts to strengthen the forces already in Somalia, as well as Somalia’s own national security apparatus, so that we are all ready for the day when foreign support leaves the country,” said Kenyatta, adding, “The plan is for a gradual reduction in troops next year; we cannot afford any further delay.”

The two leaders will join heads of states and governments for the regional body, IGAD summit in Nairobi Saturday where the refugee settlement tops the agenda.