This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
On May 4, 2020, a Kenyan cargo plane crashed in the Bardale region of Baidoa, killing six people, including the pilot. The incident has sparked a joint investigation between Kenya and Somalia.
According to officials, the plane was shot down, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian operations in the region. In response to the incident, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote to Somalia, and President Mohammed Farmajo telephoned President Uhuru Kenyatta to express his regret and condolences.
President Farmajo assured President Kenyatta that he had instructed the civil aviation authorities in Somalia to immediately mount an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. He also invited the Kenya civil aviation team to join hands with their Somalia counterparts to expeditiously probe the incident.
The aircraft was supporting humanitarian operations in Somalia and had left the capital Mogadishu before crashing near the airport in the town of Bardale.