This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 14, 2019, Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) of Somalia agreed to resume normal relations during a meeting in Nairobi.
According to a joint statement by the UN and other Somalia's partners, this move will help the region focus on security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
"We welcome the measures agreed upon by the two presidents as a significant step in strengthening good relations between the two countries," the statement read.
The improved relations come at a time when tensions were rising over a maritime boundary dispute, with Somalia suing Kenya at the International Court of Justice.
As a result of the agreement, Kenya will lift restrictions on aircraft from Somalia, allowing them to land directly instead of making a stopover in Wajir for security checks.
Visas on arrival will also be reinstated for Somali officials.
The statement was signed by the UN, the African Union Mission in Somalia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, and other partners.
