Kenya is hosting the 3rd Session of the Kenya-Somalia Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) this week, marking a significant step in strengthening العلاقات الثنائية (mu’āqalāt al-thanāʾiyyah) – bilateral relations – between the two East African nations.
The JCC, which began on May 3rd and runs until May 6th, will be followed by a visit from His Excellency Hamza Abdi Barre, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Dr. Korir SingOei, Principal Secretary of Kenya’s State Department for Foreign Affairs, officially opened the Senior Officials Segment of the JCC. Ambassadors from both countries were also present, including Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Hon. Kubai Iringo and Somali Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle.
The JCC is a two-part event. The Senior Officials Segment, currently underway from May 3rd to 5th, lays the groundwork for discussions. These discussions will then be further addressed by ministers on May 6th, with Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi of Kenya co-chairing the Ministerial Sessions alongside his Somali counterpart.
Key areas of focus during the JCC include trade, infrastructure development, security cooperation, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, and the blue economy.
Dr. SingOei extended a warm welcome to the Somali delegation and highlighted the long-standing historical ties that bind Kenya and Somalia.
