JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA BY H.E HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA, 15TH JULY, 2022, NAIROBI-KENYA

At the invitation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H, President of the
Republic of Kenya, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of
the Federal Republic of Somalia paid a two-day Official Visit to
Kenya from 15th
– 16th July 2022. The two Heads of State held
bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Friday 15th July, 2022.
Their Excellencies the Presidents were accompanied by Senior
Government Officials from both countries.
H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated H.E. President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President of the
Federal Republic of Somalia and at the same time lauded the people
of Somalia for a peaceful election and transition.
The two Heads of State led their delegations in high-level bilateral
talks, which reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and
multilateral issues, with emphasis on strengthening the existing
bilateral ties between the two countries.
In this regard, the two Presidents:

1. Emphasized on the importance of cordial bilateral relations,
   bonds of heritage and shared destiny that exists between the
   people of Kenya and the people of Somalia, which are defined
   by a common desire for peace, stability, prosperity and respect
   for the sovereign and territorial integrity of both Kenya and
   Somalia.

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2. Reaffirmed the shared commitment of the two countries to
   work together on areas of mutual interest and to deepen
   bilateral relations.
3. Towards this end, the two Presidents recommitted to the fight
   against terrorism, and in order to ensure success, directed the
   security agencies of the two countries to coordinate their
   efforts in this fight to ensure the safety and protection of the
   citizens of both countries, while upscaling the fight against
   terrorism.
4. Agreed that Kenya and Somalia will collaborate with other
   regional and international actors to provide the much-needed
   humanitarian assistance to mitigate the effects of the current
   drought in the Horn of Africa region.
5. Further agreed that the Kenya Airways (KQ) scheduled flights
   to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing
   Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The BASA will be
   reviewed by the relevant Authorities.
6. Further agreed, to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and
   economic cooperation between the two countries. Directed the
   immediate market access of fish and fish products from
   Somalia to Kenya and vice versa, the resumption of trade in
   Khat (miraa) from Kenya to Somalia, to resume with
   immediate effect.
7. Further Directed the relevant agencies to implement the
   issuance of Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis, on arrival, for
   Dignitaries, Senators and Diplomats who hold Diplomatic
   Passports and a Note Verbale from the respective Ministries of
   Foreign Affairs. For holders of Somali Service Passports,
   Courtesy Visas free of charge/gratis on arrival will be issued
   within Forty – Eight (48) hours, after completion of Online Visa
   Application accompanied by a Note Verbale from the Ministry
   of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

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8. Further underscored the need to process visas for holders of
   ordinary passports as soon as possible, preferably within ten
   (10) working days.
9. Agreed on the opening of the border between the two
   countries in order to ease the movement of people and
   enhance trade in goods and services.
10. Directed that the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC)
    between Kenya and Somalia be convened in Mogadishu in
    August 2022 to discuss and agree on matters of mutual
    interest such as joint security activities, defense, agriculture,
    trade, intelligence exchange, health, education, training in
    various fields, and continuous review of the visa regime.
11. Directed the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to ensure
    the implementation of the issues agreed upon by the two
    Presidents within two (2) weeks from the date of this Joint
    Communique.
    Issued in NAIROBI.
    Date: 15th July 2022
    ………………………………………
    AMB. MACHARIA KAMAU, CBS
    ……………………………………………….
    H.E. AMB. MOHAMED ALI – NUR
    HAGI
    PRINCIPAL SECREATRY
    MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
    OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
    PERMANENT SECRETARY
    MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
    OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
    SOMALIA