Presidents of Kenya and Somalia Joint Communique

Kenyan Defense Forces occupying the Horn of Africa nation of Somalia. The Kenyan government has invaded their neighbor in conjunction with an imperialist onslaught into the strategic state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

SOMALIA: Presidents of Kenya and Somalia Joint Communique

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF A MEETING BETWEEN H.E. MWAI KIBAKI, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AND H.E. HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA ON FRIDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 2012

JOINT COMMUNIQUE

At the invitation of H.E. President Mwai Kibaki, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud President of the Federal Republic of Somalia paid a one day visit to Kenya on Friday, 21st December, 2012.

The two Heads of State held wide ranging consultations on various issues of bilateral and regional interest and at the end of the meeting concluded as follows:

1. Welcomed the recent political developments in Somalia which culminated in the installation of a new Parliament and Government and congratulated the people of Somalia for this historic milestone.

2. Acknowledged that Kenya and Somalia shared a common destiny and hence the importance of enhancing and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

3. Emphasized the need for regular bilateral consultations on various issues of mutual concern and interest.

4. Stressed the need to revitalize the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) signed between the two countries in September, 2005 as the key framework upon which bilateral engagements between the two countries will be based on.In this regard, they mandated their respective Foreign Ministers to commence immediately the preparatory work which will culminate in the re-launch of the JCC.

5. Underscored the need to co-ordinate and co-operate both at the bilateral, regional and international levels efforts geared towards consolidation of peace and security in Somalia as well as reconstruction of the country and building of new institutions of governance.

6. Noted with concern the situation of Somali refugees who live in crowded conditions in camps in North Eastern Kenya and pledged to work together and with the international community to come up with modalities for their orderly return to Somalia to rebuild their lives and participate in the development of their motherland.

7. Commended the role of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the Grand Stabilization Plan for South Central Somalia and other liberated areas and stressed the need to support this process which has been endorsed by the IGAD Heads of State and Government, the African Union and the UN Security Council.

8. Noted with appreciation the role of AMISOM in liberating large parts of Somalia from Al Shabaab militants and called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to consider favourably the extension of the mandate of AMISOM when it expires on 7thMarch, 2013, so that AMISOM can continue helping in the process of consolidation of peace and security in Somalia.

9. Recalled the negative impact on the sub-region of the breakdown of law and order in Somalia over the years and acknowledged as legitimate the consensus and interest of the sub-region in ensuring peace, security and stability in Somalia.

Done in Nairobi on this 21st day of December, 2012

H.E. Mwai Kibaki H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

President of the Republic of Kenya. President of the Federal Republic of Somalia