President Ruto meets Somalia premier Hamza in new era of cooperation

President William Ruto on Friday met the Somalia Premier Hamza Abdi Barre at State House, Nairobi, for bilateral discussions.

The two leaders focused on enhancing strategic cooperation in key areas like security and the economy, according to the Somali Embassy in Nairobi.

Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Tuesday welcomed PM Hamza at his Karen residence in Nairobi for an official visit. Gachagua emphasised the importance of Kenya and Somalia to resolve any potential issues hindering their bilateral relations amicably.

"We should find ways to amicably sort out any issue that would impede our bilateral relations," he said.

The Somalia prime minister, acknowledging the devastation caused by recent floods in Kenya, expressed his sympathies to the Kenyan people.

He also reaffirmed Somalia's commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two countries and promoting regional integration.

The signing of a political consultation deal in Nairobi on Tuesday between Kenyan and Somali officials marked the peak of strengthened relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu.

This means the two will regularly engage in discussions and exchange views on various political matters of mutual interest, including contentious ones. Topics of discussion will also include bilateral relations, regional and international issues, security concerns, economic cooperation, and diplomatic strategies.

The aim is to enhance understanding, strengthen relations, and coordinate actions on shared interests.

These ties, which had badly deteriorated, were renewed nearly two years ago as President Ruto assumed office in September 2022. His Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May of the same year.

Kenya, which had suffered a blow from the frosty relations, declared its intention to renew ties in pursuit of a more stable region.

This move, according to Ruto, was to open up trade opportunities for all countries involved, fostering economic growth and cooperation across the region.

President @WilliamsRuto hosted PM @HamzaAbdiBarre at State House, Nairobi. Two leaders discussions focused on enhancing strategic cooperation in key areas like security, the economy, & diplomatic relations. Defence CS @HonAdenDuale & Amb. @Ijabril were also in attendance. pic.twitter.com/OVLzowqao9

— Somali Embassy-Kenya🇸🇴 (@SomaliainKenya) May 10, 2024

For Kenya, Somalia presents a potential bigger business partner with statistics showing that Kenyan exports to Somalia grew 51.4 per cent in the nine months to September 2023, compared to the same period the previous year, marking a resurgence of trade between the two neighbouring countries.

The growth in exports to Mogadishu marked a remarkable resurgence in 2019, with Kenya having registered a decline of 49 per cent between 2012 and 2019.

Scholars have contended that the future prosperity and regional security of Kenya and Somalia depend on their connection.

Nairobi and Mogadishu share cultural and economic ties and common security interests which, the Institute for Security Studies in a 2021 report argued, if balanced, could benefit both countries and the Horn of Africa region.

Somalia is currently home to tens of thousands of Kenyan workers who play an important role in the country's corporate, aid, service and hospitality sectors.

Although Kenyan citizens must obtain a visa in advance of visiting Somalia, this process is anticipated to be simplified in accordance with regional protocols for a visa-free regime now that Somalia is an East African Community partner state, making it easier for Kenyan citizens to conduct business in the nation.

But Kenya is home to a sizable Somali diaspora population and is thought to be the host country for over a million Somali refugees.

Nairobi's Eastleigh neighbourhood hosts one of the largest ethnic Somali communities outside Somalia. Eastleigh is said to contribute nearly 30 per cent of the revenues for Nairobi County – making it a key business district, currently on a major vertical expansion spree.

Its transformation made it the worthy subject of Prof Neil Carrier's book, Little Mogadishu: Eastleigh, Nairobi's Global Somali Hub.

Furthermore, Kenya has made significant investments in Somalia's rehabilitation following the conflict and organised a number of conferences that were crucial to the country's efforts to promote peace.

Kenya hosted and mediated the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Eldoret and later in Nairobi-Mbagathi under the auspices of IGAD in 2003.

Due to comparatively favourable labour and economic conditions in Kenya, the Somali diaspora has made substantial investments in the nation, contributing billions of shillings to its GDP.

Since the two states' economies are so intertwined, commentators have argued cooperation must be actively encouraged.