Kenya and Somalia reaffirm strong bilateral ties at FOCAC Summit

Kenya and Somalia are set to strengthen their diplomatic and economic ties.

This follows a meeting between Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Omer, on the sidelines of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministers’ Summit.

Mudavadi said the two nations share “longstanding cultural and socioeconomic ties that trace back to the pre-independence era.”

He noted that the relationship continues to grow, anchored on shared goals of “peace, stability, and regional prosperity.”

During their bilateral talks, the two leaders agreed to fast-track meetings of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC). The aim is to finalise key Memoranda of Understanding.

The MoUs are expected to enhance cooperation across several sectors.

“Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Somalia’s deep appreciation for Kenya’s steadfast support over the past 25 years,” Mudavadi said.

He singled out Kenya’s role in promoting peace and stability in Somalia through its contribution to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to good neighbourliness.

He also pledged to “deepen bilateral engagement for the benefit of both nations.”

Kenya’s Ambassador to China, Willy Bett, and Somalia’s Ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi, attended the meeting.

Also present were Ambassador Jane Major, Director of Asian Affairs at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and her Somali counterpart, Said Jama Mire.

The two heads of state affirmed the excellent diplomatic relations existing between the two countries.

"Kenya and Somalia have excellent diplomatic relations that have progressively deepened since the Horn of Africa country joined the African Community last year," President Ruto said in a post on X's official page on January 11, 2025.

This development has led to improved diplomatic ties between the two countries.

After Somalia became a member of the East African Community and submitted its instruments of ratification of the Treaty of Accession on March 4, 2024, in Arusha, Tanzania, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi praised the decision.