The travel permit between Kenya and Somalia has been eased with
the restoration of visa on arrival arrangement agreed on by President Uhuru
Kenyatta and his Somali Counterpart Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed.
The bilateral deal between the two nations was signed on Thursday
meeting between the two head of states on the sidelines of the just concluded
Nairobi ICPD25 summit.
The agreement, according to the two, is aimed at enhancing free
and unhindered movement of people and commerce between Kenya and Somalia.
President Kenyatta and Mohamed of Somalia reaffirmed the
invaluable relations that exist between the two nations, agreeing to explore other
opportunities of strengthening bilateral and diplomatic ties, which can be beneficial.
President Mohamed thanked Kenyatta’s administration for its
involvement in the fight against terrorism, saying the country has played a
major role in AMISOM bid to tame Al-Shabaab.
Maritime dispute
He also thanked Kenyans for the continued hospitality services
they accord to Somali refugees.
On maritime boundary dispute, Mohamed was categorical that the
International Court of Justice in The Hague will resolve the issue amicably and
in a mutual manner.
The disputed maritime area covers an estimated 100,000 square
kilometers of the Indian Ocean, and the land beneath it purportedly holds large
deposits of oil and gas.
In February, the Somali government denied that it had auctioned
off exploration rights at Somalia oil and gas conference in London, saying it
had merely presented maps and seismic surveys.
The government further noted that it will not undertake any other
unilateral action in the disputed territory until the case is decided by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
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