This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On November 16, 2019, the United Nations and other Somalia's partners expressed their support for the recent decision by Kenya and Somalia to normalize their relations.
The move, which was announced by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) during a meeting in Nairobi on November 14, 2019, is expected to benefit the people of both countries.
According to a statement issued by the partners, the normalization of relations between Kenya and Somalia will contribute to the prosperity of their peoples and positively impact security and development in the wider Horn of Africa region.
The statement, which was signed by the UN, the African Union Mission in Somalia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, France, and Germany, among others, noted that the normalization of relations will help the region to concentrate on security challenges.
The move comes after tensions rose over a maritime boundary dispute between the two countries, which saw direct flights subjected to inconvenient stopovers and visas on arrival suspended.
However, with the normalization of relations, Kenya has agreed to lift the restriction that asked aircraft from Somalia to first land in Wajir for security checks, and allow visas on arrival for Somali officials.
