ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Somalia and Kenya have agreed to strengthen cooperation on immigration, consular affairs and cross-border movement following talks between Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali Dhaay and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa.
The discussions, held on Tuesday, come at a time of renewed diplomatic sensitivities between the neighboring countries after reports that Kenyan authorities had denied entry to senior Somali officials over passport-related concerns.
Neither Mogadishu nor Nairobi has provided detailed public explanations for the reported incidents, which have raised questions over travel procedures and diplomatic coordination between the two governments.
During the meeting, the officials emphasized the importance of improving communication channels and addressing issues affecting citizens and officials moving between the two countries, according to statements from both sides.
Somalia and Kenya share longstanding security, economic and social ties, with frequent movement of people and goods across their border. Both governments have previously highlighted the need for closer cooperation to manage migration, trade and regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
