Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, undertook a two-day working visit to Kenya from October 21, 2024, at the invitation of President William Ruto.

Mohamud was Monday, October 21, 2024, evening, received by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Aden Duale.

Duale, in a statement shared via his official X account, revealed that the visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The details of the two Heads of States’ meeting have now emerged.

A joint statement by State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, has revealed a wide range of topics that were discussed during the meeting.

Kenya-Somalia bilateral ties

According to the statement, President Ruto and Mohamud reviewed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest during their State House meeting held on October 22, 2024.

“They hailed the warm, fraternal, and cordial relations between the two countries and emphasised the need to deepen and enhance the vibrant bilateral cooperation that exists between the two countries,” the statement reads in part.

They also reaffirmed the need for continuous and open dialogue to address matters of interest between the two states, resulting in mutual understanding.

Security situation in Somalia

Ruto and Mohamud also discussed the security situation in Somalia and the region, underscoring the need to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole by upholding the constitutive principles of respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and non-interference.

“His Excellency Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warmly commended his Kenyan counterpart, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, for his tireless support of Somalia’s state-building efforts and his remarkable role in the restoration of peace, security, and stability in Somalia. He also acknowledged the significant role of the Kenya Defence Forces in the fight against terrorism alongside Somali Security Forces and other ATMIS troop-contributing countries,” the joint statement reads.

They further welcomed the establishment of the new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will build on the achievements of its predecessor, ATMIS.

They emphasised the need for a smooth transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to AUSSOM, scheduled to commence on January 1, 2025.

KDF withdrawal from Somalia

A contingent of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops, who had been deployed in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have since returned to Kenya.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, KDF said the troops arrived in the country over the weekend.

The soldiers, who were stationed at Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB), arrived as part of a phased drawdown aimed at transferring security responsibilities to Somalia Security Forces.

During their deployment, the Kenyan soldiers worked alongside other African Union member states to combat extremism and foster stability in Somalia.