President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged IGAD member states to continue engaging Somalia proactively in order to sustain the efforts towards stability of the country.
The President commended the leadership and people of Somalia for their determination to address the challenges confronting them, particularly incidences of violent extremism and terrorism.
Uhuru spoke on Tuesday at the 28th IGAD Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The special IGAD Summit, that was attended by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, discussed the progress Somalia has made towards security and stability.
President Kenyatta observed that holding the IGAD Summit in Mogadishu is an attestation of the confidence the region has on the Federal Government of Somalia and its progress towards the restoration of peace and stability.
He encouraged the Somali authorities to ensure the implementation of governance and state formation as envisioned in Somalia Vision 2016 as they head to elections next month.
President Kenyatta assured that the international community and partners are ready to support Somalia to ensure that the elections are held in a timely manner and in accordance to the will and wishes of the Somali people.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Desalegn, who is also the IGAD Chairman, said Somalia had made progress on the path of peace and stability but much more needed to be done.
"We are not there yet but IGAD is confident that its efforts will succeed in the complete restoration of peace and stability in Somalia,” Desalegn said.
The leaders were also briefed on the South Sudan peace process and the progress made so far by the IGAD executive secretary Mahboub Maalim.
Kenya has been at the forefront in efforts geared towards sustainable peace in South Sudan.
These efforts are driven by the fact that insecurity in South Sudan poses a serious threat to regional peace, security and stability.
Neighbouring countries including Kenya have borne the heavy burden of the conflict including intensive flow of refugees, loss of investments and business as well as proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons.