by EKISA ZABLON
Wednesday October 23, 2024
- Ruto noted that Somalia is poised to play a key role in shaping international discourse on peace and security during a critical juncture of global governance reforms.
- The two Heads of State underscored the necessity of maintaining continuous and candid discussions on matters of mutual interest
President William Ruto and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Mohamud have underscored the need to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole.
This emerged during a meeting between the two leaders held at State House.
Mohamud undertook a working visit to Kenya from October 21 and 22 where the two Heads of State held official talks and reviewed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Ruto congratulated Mohamud on the Federal Republic of Somalia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the years 2025–2026.
“Somalia is poised to play a key role in shaping international discourse on peace and security during a critical juncture of global governance reforms,” the joint communique said.
Ruto noted that Somalia is poised to play a key role in shaping international discourse on peace and security during a critical juncture of global governance reforms.
In a joint communique, the two Heads of State underscored the necessity of maintaining continuous and candid discussions on matters of mutual interest that would promote a mutual understanding between the two neighboring countries.
They expressed their commitment to finding resolutions that honor both nations’ rights and goals aiming at fostering strong bilateral cooperation.
On his part, Mohamud commended Ruto for his tireless support of Somalia’s state-building efforts and his remarkable role in the restoration of peace, security, and stability in Somalia.
He also acknowledged the significant role of the Kenya Defence Forces in the fight against terrorism alongside Somali Security Forces and other ATMIS troop-contributing countries.
"The Heads of State welcomed the establishment of the new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will build on the achievements of its predecessor, ATMIS," it said.
They emphasised the need for a smooth transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to AUSSOM, scheduled to commence on January 1, 2025.
"They stressed that AUSSOM must be adequately resourced and noted the importance of exploring all funding options, including UN Resolution 2719."
The two leaders also committed to working towards resolving barriers to further open their markets in order to facilitate the movement of goods and services between the two nations recognising the vast trading opportunities in the region.
They directed the Ministers responsible for Trade to explore ways to enhance trade between the two countries and encouraged the private sector to benefit from the pro-business policies adopted by both governments.