Nairobi, Kenya – The governments of Somalia and Kenya held a two-fold meeting in Nairobi focused on strengthening security cooperation and managing the borders between the two countries. The meeting was attended by the Somali Minister of Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, alongside Ambassador Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, Director-General of the Immigration and Naturalization Department, Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow, Deputy Commissioner of the Somali Police Force, Major General Osman Abdullahi Mohamed, and other senior Somali government officials.

The discussions centered around several key issues aimed at enhancing the security of both nations, particularly security, facilitating the movement of people and vehicles, and strengthening cross-border cooperation.

Minister Fartaag emphasized the focus on:

• Enhancing security cooperation between Somalia and Kenya.
• Easing and opening the borders between the two countries.
• Promoting training for Somali and Kenyan police forces.
• Increasing cooperation on migration and related issues.

“The security relationship between Somalia and Kenya is crucial, and it is essential that we work together regularly to counter regional threats, particularly terrorism and extremist groups,” the statement from the Somali Embassy in Nairobi said.

Minister Fartaag also thanked Kenya for its ongoing support in operations against Al-Shabaab.

This meeting follows a memorandum of understanding reached in May 2023, aimed at strengthening security cooperation and managing the borders to ensure regional security and stability.