Uhuru Kenyatta reinstates Nairobi-Mogadishu direct flights

NAIROBI, Kenya - Direct flights from Mogadishu to Nairobi will resume next week after months of standoff between Kenya and Somalia, President Uhuru Kenyatta has formally announced.

Throughout this period, aircrafts operating between the two countries have been subjected to rigorous security check at Wajir airport, with Nairobi terming the move as a 'security concern'.

Early this year, Somalia President Mohamed Farmajo was forced to snub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in protest, opting to use Dar es Salaam airport on his way from South Africa.

Before the incident, a delegation of Somalia goverment officials was turned away at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for lack of Visa, further escalating diplomatic ties between the two countries.

However, after a lengthy meeting in a Nairobi hotel on Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta restored direct flights between the two cities, arguing that 'small issues should not affect business ties'.

Uhuru ordered Kenya Airports Authority to immediately effect his order, a move that will now normalise operations both in Nairobi and Mogadishu.

"We have also discussed flight issues from Mogadishu into Nairobi. Currently they go through Wajir. We have agreed that within a week, authorities should put measures to ensure we have direct flights from Mogadishu to Nairobi," Uhuru said.

Somalia travelling to Kenya will also be issued visas at the airport upon arrival, a swift divergence from bureaucractic procedures that required them to process the same in their country through Kenya embassy.

"Our brothers and sisters from Somalia will be able to obtain visas at the airport when they arrive. No more referral visas. We want to encourage our people to do business and visit their friends and families," Kenyatta added.

The indirect sanctions were slapped on Mogadishu following reports that the Federal Goverment had auctioned disputed Indian Ocean oil deposits to a London-based company.

While addressing the media after Tuesday's meeting, President Mohamed Farmajo hailed Kenya for hosting thousands of Somalis, many of whom are renowned entrepreneurs.

The Federal Goverment leader said restoration of direct flights to Mogadishu from Nairobi will boost trade and business between the two nations by substantially reducing time spent in security checks.

"We appreciate for restoration of direct flights to Nairobi and issuance of visas at the airport. We have a lot of things in common that revolves around business, trade and family ties," Farmajo said.

On stability of Somalia, Farmajo said, Kenya's decision to contribute troops to AMISOM has greatly boosted security in the Horn of Africa nation.

Farmajo paid tributes to KDF troops who have died in the line of duty, saying that their dedication will not 'go in vain. Over 500 troops have been killed by Al-Shabaab.

"We thank you for your contribution to peace and stability in Somalia. Kenya is part of AMISOM that has done a lot and in the process, we have lost many soldiers. Their sacrifices will not go to vain."

In 2016, at least 200 soldiers died at El Adde military base when Al-Shabaab militants attacked. A year later, 70 soldiers were killed at Kulbiyow army base.

The diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Mogadishu further deteriorated in October this year when an aircraft landed at Kismayo Airport without going through routine security check at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.

Somali reported Kenya at International Civil Aviations for 'violating' her airspace. Federal Goverment had banned direct flights to Kismayo due to squabbles with Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, a key ally of Kenya.

The reinstatement of direct flights could be the beginning of solving sea row dispute currently at the International Court of Justice even though Somalia maintains that it's 'okay with court process'.