Kenya keen on stabilising Somalia, partners must help – CS Amina tells UNGA

Kenya is committed to stabilising Somalia, Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed has said, and asked partners to help.

Amina noted the country has suffered decades of instability but that remarkable positive developments have been witnessed.

She thanked those attending the High-Level Meeting including the United Kingdom, Ethiopia and Italy, and assured them of Kenyata’s commitment as President Mohamed Farmajo’s country pursues peace and stability.

The Cabinet Secretary said the capital Mogadishu is now open for business and that investors are moving beyond speculation to establish their presence there.

Amina said the successful conclusion of the 2016/17 electoral process set Somalia on a path of improved governance and political stability, including the fight against corruption.

Somalia today has in place an elected and more broadly based government that has demonstrated commitment to formulate a new constitution, create a viable federal system of government and rebuild state institutions.”

She addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday,

The minister said through a framework of a bilateral Joint Commission for Cooperation, Kenya had made commitments including the establishment of more border posts to ease movement.

Amina also cited restored direct air services between Mogadishu and Nairobi and the training of an agreed number of teachers, nurses and administrators on behalf of the Somalia government.
We believe these modest capacity-building assistance programmes will facilitate the expansion and extension of critical public services by the government to the population.”

Amina said Kenya welcomes the international community and friends to avail additional resources for more programmes for Somali officials which could be delivered in Kenyata’s institutions.

Security remains the single most important factor in Somalia’s political and economic aspirations.

The situation remains precarious as al Shabaab terror group appears to have invigorated heinous acts of terror, threatening a rollback of gains made.

Kenya supports other regional and international initiatives on Somalia. One of these initiatives was the London Conference on Somalia whose third edition in May endorsed a New Partnership for Somalia.

The goals are peace, stability and prosperity.

The Third London Conference expressed support for a condition-based transition from AMISOM to Somali security forces, starting late 2018, with clear target dates linked to the security sector reform that Somalia is undertaking.

Amina further assured Kenya will remain a faithful partner to the people of Somalia and continue working closely with the federal government, the region and the international community in getting Somalia out of the shadows of conflict.