The Kenyan government on Thursday announced it has decided to reopen its airspace for flights to and from Somalia, reported CGTN Africa.
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry said after considering the intercessions made, it has decided to reopen the country’s airspace to all flights to and from Somalia. The government had suspended all flights to and from Somalia in May, with the exception of humanitarian deliveries and medical evacuation flights, due to a diplomatic spat between the two neighboring countries.
The foreign ministry said the goodwill measure has been taken in the mutual interest of the two East African countries. It added that it hopes the decision will lead to full normalization of relations, including diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people linkages that have undergone undue strain.
The Kenyan ministry clarified that existing COVID-19 protocols applicable to all passengers traveling to Kenya remain in place as communicated by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The protocols include possession of a valid COVID-19 negative PCR test certificate, conducted within 96 hours before travel by all passengers coming to the country.
The Somalian government hailed Nairobi’s decision as a step that could smooth relations between the two countries.
“The government of Somalia welcomes Kenya reopening its airspace with Somalia on Thursday,” government spokesperson Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said on Twitter. “This move could pave the way for normalization [of] the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.”
Somalia cut off all diplomatic ties with Kenya in December last year, accusing Nairobi of interfering in Mogadishu’s internal affairs.
The security, education, and trade relations between the two countries remained affected for some five months until Mogadishu announced in May that it was ready to restore ties with Nairobi, citing the interest of both countries.
But just a few days later, the Kenyan government stalled air traffic with Somalia, without giving any reason for the move.
