Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre in Kenya for strategic meeting

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia's Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre arrived in Nairobi on Monday, senior officials in Kenya reported, ahead of strategic meeting meant to discuss economic cooperation with the East African nation, which is a major trade partner.

Barre, who is in charge of the government, was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary who doubles as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. He was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

According to Duale, Hamsa Abdi Barre will participate in the Joint Commission for Cooperation meeting in Nairobi and will later hold a bilateral meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who will represent President William Ruto.

"Alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, this morning we welcomed Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi," Duale said in a statement.

"Prime Minister Bare is expected to attend the Ministerial Segment of the Kenya-Somalia 3rd Session Joint Commission for Cooperation. Additionally, he will be hosted by Deputy President H.E Rigathi for a high-level bilateral meeting centered around shared interests between the two countries."

Somalia has been a close partner of Kenya, despite ups and downs, including the recent maritime dispute, which was decided at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Kenya and Somalia were at loggerheads on the Indian Ocean coastline, which was rich in oil.

Besides this, the government of Somalia has been working closely with Kenya on matters of security, including the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. At least 3,500 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The government of Kenya has also increased surveillance along the Kenya-Somalia border, where the Al-Shabaab militants have been chaotic. Somalia is also a major market for Kenya's Khat (Miraa) which is a cash crop in central regions.

GAROWE ONLINE