Tuesday May 5, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Kenya and Somalia will jointly conduct an investigation into the suspected downing of a humanitarian cargo flight in Berdale which killed all six crew on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi said Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Farmaajo have agreed via a telephone call to form a joint team from the civil aviation bodies of the respective countries.
“President Farmajo invited the Kenya civil aviation authorities to team with their Somalia counterparts with a view to completing the investigations expeditiously,” a statement from Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry read in part.
The statement follows an earlier call by Kenya seeking answers from Somalia over the ill-fated crash that happened Tuesday afternoon.
“The government of Kenya urges the government of Somalia and international agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate the matter because it impacts humanitarian operations at a time of highest need," the ministry said in a statement.
Kenya noted the crash risked hampering humanitarian work in the Somalia especially at a time the country was battling a fast spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Unverified reports pointed to a Rocket Propelled Grenade from Ethiopian contingent in the area.
Somali government said Monday evening it will conduct investigations into the incident as it initially termed it an accident.