Kenya, Somalia Agrees to Mend Diplomatic Relations
The Kenyans and Somalia governments have agreed to improve strained diplomatic relations following a meeting in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, between officials of both countries on Sunday.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
The Kenyan delegation led by Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo held talks with Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.
According to a press statement from the prime minister’s office, the neighboring states, whose ties have not been on a strong footing for several months, agreed to cement their relations particularly in the areas of diplomacy, trade, and security.
The statement further added that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta extended an invitation for Somalia’s prime minister to visit Nairobi.
Somalia has underscored that an existing maritime dispute between the two nations will be decided by The Hague-based International Court of Justice, or ICJ, despite several requests by Kenya to reach a settlement out of court.
Mogadishu severed diplomatic ties with Nairobi in December of last year over claims of Kenyan political interference in Somalia’s affairs, an accusation denied by Nairobi.
According to analyst Ali Abdulkadir, he said the visit by the Kenyans is a sign of improving relations despite thorny issues on both sides.
