Somalia, Kenya ink new aviation agreement

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has entered a new aviation agreement with Kenya which will see two neighboring countries enhance cooperation in various sectors including trade, transport and security.

The latest deal was announced during a weekly council of ministers’ meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre who was also briefed on the progress on the war against the Al-Shabaab militants.

The council of ministers praised the Somali National Army (SNA) for its achievements in the war against Al-Shabaab, noting that the capability by the militants to carry out attacks in the capital Mogadishu, has been reduced by 70%.

They noted that the stability currently witnessed in the capital city has restored normalcy which has enabled the latest deal with Kenya and which also saw Somali citizens worship peacefully without any attacks during the month of Ramadan.

The Ministerial Committee tasked with evacuation of Somali Citizens from Sudan also issued a brief on the progress made so far saying that over 1000 Somalis, mostly students have been evacuated and that more citizens will be brought into the country in a few days to come.

The Ministers also lauded the government’s move to lower the prices of Hajj travel which is much lower this year than the previous years.

The Somali Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that the cost of Hajj travel packages will be set at $4,484, down from last year’s $5,230, saving $746 for Somali citizens going to the Hajj and the country $8 million.

This move, the government officials said is aimed at curbing exploitative practices of third-party vendors who have made the process expensive and time-consuming.