Uhuru gets down to work, meets Somali leader

PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday evening met and held talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud of Somalia at State House, Nairobi.

During the meeting also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, President Kenyatta assured the Somali President that Kenya will continue to work with his country’s leadership to consolidate peace and security.

Underscoring the cordial and friendly relations existing between Kenya and Somalia, the president said the two countries will engage politically on regular basis to deal with emerging issues of mutual interest as well as regional matters.

The Head of State added: “The Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) will soon be launched and implemented for the mutual benefit of the two Countries.”

Thanking the Somali President for attending his inauguration, the president stated that the two governments will work closely to realise sustainable peace in Somalia, the horn of Africa and the region at large.

The Head of State noted that the decision by Kenya to move into Somalia and be part of the AMISOM peace keeping force of the African Union was borne out of the realisation that a stable Somalia was good for the people of that country, Kenya and the entire region.

He, once more, reassured the Somali President that the role of Kenya Defence Forces within AMISOM was only to promote peace and security in the assigned sector.

On repatriation of the thousands of Somali refugees hosted by Kenya, the president affirmed that the two countries will convene a meeting at summit level at an appropriate time to deliberate further on matters of mutual benefit including their orderly return home.

On his part, the visiting president assured his host that Somalia wished to see peace and stability restored in his country and the Horn of Africa for the benefit of the entire region.

The Somali President noted that lasting and durable peace and a stable government in Somalia is not only a matter of national interest to the people of Somalia but also Kenya and other neighbours.

The talks were attended by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia among other senior government officials.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online