U.S welcomes Khat trade agreement between Somalia and Kenya

According to a statement by the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs , the US Government has welcomed the agreement between Kenya and Somalia to advance their bilateral relationship and believes it’s a great effort to increase security, stability, and prosperity for the people of the Horn of Africa.

Three days ago, Somalia and Kenya announced a new agreement on reopening trade between the two states. Somalia allowed the resumption of Miraa exports from Kenya and in return Somalia will export fish to Kenya.

According to the agreement, Kenya airways flights to Mogadishu will resume under an existing air agreement which will be reviewed by relevant authorities. The decision arose from a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in Nairobi. The two had also met last month during the inauguration of President Mohamud in Mogadishu.

Relations between Kenya and Somalia have deteriorated in recent years. In December 2020, Mogadishu cut off diplomatic ties and accused Nairobi of meddling in its internal affairs after Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted the Somaliland President, which Somalia’s central government does not recognize as a state.