Somalia, Kenya Leaders discuss Visa Facilitation and counterrorism Cooperation

The Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamse Abdi Barre, convened a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to address key issues pertaining to the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Among the primary topics of discussion were visa facilitation measures and the strengthening of joint efforts in countering terrorism.

According to the office of Somalia’s Prime minister, During the meeting, both leaders engaged in fruitful deliberations regarding the streamlining of visa procedures between Somalia and Kenya to foster smoother and more efficient travel between the two countries.

The two leaders underscored the paramount importance of intensifying their collaborative efforts in combating the menace of terrorism, with a particular focus on countering the activities of Al-Shabaab. They noted the threat posed by the group’s operations in central and southern Somalia, which have implications for regional security and could potentially affect the stability of the Somalia-Kenya border.

Kenya has experienced several devastating attacks by Al-Shabaab, leading to the loss of numerous lives, including those of Kenyan citizens, students, and security personnel. The group has repeatedly carried out its operations in border towns, prompting significant concern for both nations’ security.

The Kenyan Defence Forces had entered southern Somalia in 2011 to pursue Al-Shabaab following a series of kidnappings of tourists along the shared border. Subsequently, the Kenyan government agreed to integrate its forces into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) one month later, demonstrating its commitment to regional peace and security.