By RFPosted on 14-11-2019Modified on 14-11-2019 at 22:37

Kenya and Somalia are normalizing their relations. This is the surprise announcement made Thursday by the presidents of both countries during a press conference in a Nairobi hotel. For months, the relations between their two capitals were very degraded after a series of disagreements, notably around the sovereignty over a vast border maritime territory where are important reserves of oil.

During a joint press conference Thursday, November 14, the two heads of state have especially wanted to mark a turning point. After a long tête-à-tête, Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo first displayed wide smiles and friendly handshakes. But in their statements to the press, both have remained in generalities, while the issues of contention are numerous.

That said, as a gesture of goodwill, simple arrival visas are being reinstated for Somalis and Kenyans, Uhuru Kenyatta said, as well as direct flights between Mogadishu and Nairobi within a week.

With regard to the maritime dispute to be decided next year by the International Court of Justice , no spectacular announcement. Farmajo thanked Kenya for its participation in AMISOM for Kenya's hospitality to Somali refugees. And he said he was " confident " that this dispute " will be solved in a mutually acceptable way that will not affect their bilateral relations, " suggesting possible direct talks.

A Kenyan newspaper highlights a revealing fact of the appeasement: in an unusual diplomatic gesture, the Kenyan president moved to the Nairobi hotel of his Somali counterpart.

During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the invaluable relations that exist between Kenya and Somalia and agreed to explore avenues of strengthening bilateral and diplomatic relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu for the benefit of the citizens of the two nations | @M_Farmaajo pic.twitter.com/bzKbDK3dyU

State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) November 14, 2019

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