By RFIPalled on 26-09-2019Modified on 26-09-2019 at 23:58

The presidents of Kenya and Somalia met Tuesday in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. A beginning of rapprochement whereas since February, relations between the two countries have cooled down. Nairobi accuses Mogadishu of selling oil licenses on its territory.

Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Farmajo shake hands, with Egyptian midfielder Abdel Fatah al-Sissi smiling. The picture is good for the current Chair of the African Union, who has been able to start warming between Kenya and Somalia, whose relations are constantly deteriorating.

Since February, the border has been temporarily closed, the direct air link has been suspended, visas of officials have been refused, not to mention incendiary bulletins ...

On Tuesday, according to the Somali presidency, the two neighbors would have agreed to restore their relations to the pre-crisis level and to take diplomatic steps to restore confidence. For this purpose, a joint committee must be established.

The Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke of a " step in the right direction ". " We have always believed that negotiations were the best framework for finding African solutions to African problems, " said Monica Juma.

From the beginning, Nairobi has been trying to avoid a court case. However, on Tuesday, no agreement on the maritime dispute has been found. According to Mohamed Abdinur, spokesman for the Somali presidency, " the proceedings before the International Court of Justice will continue ".

The hearings must begin on November 4th. The researcher Rashid Abdi believes that these tensions destabilize the region. He argues for direct dialogue because, in his opinion, " durable solutions rarely come through legal proceedings ".

The President of FGS HE Mohamed Abdulahi Farmaajo @M_Farmaajo, The President of Kenya HE Uhurru Kenyatta #Uhurru #Kenyatta they put a bilateral meeting at @UNGA they agreed to face The @IntlCrimCourt and settle all diplomatic relations between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/4mhu2vZHm3

Caydaruus Sange (@Aidarussange) September 25, 2019

    On the same subject

    Attacks on the Kenyan telecom: Somali society is singled out

    Tensions between Kenya and Somalia worry the African Union

    UN: Somali Shebabs will not be subject to the same sanctions as ISIS

    Somalia: an election in Jubaland and issues for the entire Horn of Africa

    comments