Kenya has cemented its diplomatic presence in Mogadishu with a new embassy building, as it seeks to improve formal trade relations with Somalia. The revelation came after a delegation of top Foreign Affairs officials from Nairobi toured Mogadishu to discuss co-operation in the face of what they called political and security problems both sides have faced.
The new building means Nairobi will no longer be renting space for its diplomatic mission, allowing officials to conduct business better. It is due to be fully occupied from next month following installation of workspace equipment etc. According to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau Kenya sees business ties as a better way to improve the overall relations between the countries.
“The current problems facing Somali and Kenya for the last 10 years should not be allowed to stand in the way of what would be enormous benefits that would accrue to both nations should cooperation and business be nurtured between the two states,” said PS Kamau.
Redraw a maritime boundary
Kenya has troops fighting as the African Union Mission in Somalia forces, which is due to exit Somalia from next year according to an announced plan. Yet political relations between the two sides have at times led to public altercations and accusations. Somalia also sued Kenya at the International Court of Justice, seeking to redraw a maritime boundary between them.
PS Kamau said that Nairobi, however, thinks political and security challenges facing Somalia can be resolved gradually as both sides focus on boosting business ties.
“The promise of trade and business exchanges between the two peoples of Kenya and Somalia is phenomenal. It could be transformational for both economies and societies if what we have seen of the offshoots of development in Nairobi’s Eastleigh and other suburbs, as well as in Mombasa and even in the refugee camp area of Dadaab is anything to go by,” Mr Macharia said referring to areas in Kenya most populated by Somalis.
