WASHINGTON (Halbeeg News) – Kenya’s Defence Cabinet secretary Aden Duale said Kenya and Somalia will partner in areas of trade and investments as they foster peace and security.
Duale said the countries also have committed to ending violent extremism.
Duale said the two countries will partner in areas of trade and investments as they foster peace and security.
The minister said the commitments were made by Somali President, Hassan Mohamud, and his Kenyan counter William Ruto during bilateral talks in the US.
Duale said Kenya, apart from defending its borders against external aggression, has been instrumental in fostering peace in the Horn of Africa.
“Under different programmes, to different places and at different times, we have sent out our service troops on peacekeeping missions which have proven successful. One such place that attributes its peace and stability to the Kenyan Defence Force is Somalia,” he said.
In 2011, Kenya deployed thounsands of soldiers in Somalia to fight al-Shabaab fighters after the East African nation claimed the group abducted dozens of tourists from Kenyan coastal regions.
A year later, the country allowed its soldiers to join African Union peacekeepers and help Somali government restore peace in southern regions.
Kenya forces currently operate in Lower and Gedo where they help Somali government forces fight al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab carried out retaliatory attacks in Kenya towns in Northeastern and Coast regions, killing hundreds of people mostly non-muslims. The group also attacked hotels in Lamu and Nairobi countries.
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