Highlights:
Kenya and Somalia on Sunday 31st January at the sidelines of the 26 AU Summit signed a bilateral cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa.
According to Somali’s foreign minister, Abdisalam Hadliye Omar confirmed the renewal of the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) that provides a legal and technical framework for the promotion of ties and guide and future engagement between the two.
Summary:
Kenya and Somalia have renewed the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) following the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement between the two countries in the sidelines of the AU summit that closed on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
JCC which is renewed every five years is expected to give a legal and technical framework for the promotion of ties between the two countries and as well as provide a guideline for any and all future engagements of the two neighbors.
The agreement comes at such a time when the two countries have to intensify the cooperation especially in security as they fight a common enemy; Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen that has been inflicting guerilla-like attacks on security forces and civilians of both countries.
JCC is hoping to achieve an even greater cooperation by enhancing trade ties between the two that are likely to strengthen Somalia economy and inversely reduce the country’s dependency on foreign aid.
Kenya Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Ms. Amina Mohamed highlighted the significance of the agreement, saying that the two countries were important to each other to work towards common goals.
