Jidbaale
On September 5, President William Ruto met with Somalia President Hassan Mohamud during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, China.
During the discussion, the two presidents deliberated on several matters pertaining to regional security, notably the escalation in terrorism threats, particularly from extremist factions like Al-Shabab.
The meeting between Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and President William Ruto took place at State House in Nairobi on April 12, 2024.
The Heads of State also discussed the accomplishments of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), in which Kenya is involved.
ATMIS is a multinational military coalition of forces from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently, it is participating in a peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The operation is scheduled to conclude in December of this year. Nevertheless, Kenya and Uganda will continue to be involved in the new African Union mission that will replace ATMIS, with the objective of maintaining stability in Somalia.
During the meeting, President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s dedication to reestablishing stability in the region, with the Head of State underscoring the importance of ongoing cooperation.
Ruto emphasized the importance of maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the Horn of Africa, notwithstanding Somalia’s allegations of Ethiopia’s sovereignty infringement.
Mohamud’s meeting with Ruto took place amidst escalating conflicts between Ethiopia and Somalia involving a dispute over the latter’s breakaway territory.
Opposition arose when Ethiopia sought to establish a naval facility on Somalia’s Red Sea coast through a memorandum of understanding. Somalia declared the MoU null and void, sparking the ongoing problems.
Ruto and Mohamud continued to discuss pressing climate-related concerns, which they stated had intensified food shortages, resulting in the displacement of people.
Both leaders came up with solutions for strengthening climate resilience and sustainable development in order to more effectively confront these concerns.
Kenya’s president also took advantage of the chance to encourage Somalia’s President to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ambition for the African Union Commission Chairperson job.
