Somalia crisis: Kenya Veep courts Mahama support

Kenyan Vice President Willam Samoei Ruto arrived in the country Sunday to court the support of President John Mahama in making a strong case for a lasting solution to the Somali crisis in the upcoming AU summit in Ethiopia.

According to the Vice President of Kenya, the problem in Somalia is also affecting them since they share borders with that country.

He told President Mahama in a meeting at the Kotoka International Airport shortly after arrival that a collective African response is what is needed to solve the crisis in Somalia.

Information Minister Mahama Ayariga briefed the media after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.

Mahama Ayariga said, “Somalia has a long border with Kenya and Somali government hasn’t really been existence for close to three decades now. That has created security problems for the Kenyan government and for East Africa generally and also refugee and the consequent economic challenges for the Kenyan government.”

“They want a collective Africa approach to dealing with this problem and they have sought the support and assistance of his Excellency President John Dramani Mahama at the next AU Summit in trying to shift an Africa response to the situation in Somalia,” he added.

The information minister disclosed that the two leaders also discussed the importance of promoting intra-African trade to improve the economic performance of African countries.

Mahama Ayariga said President Mahama accepted the request to play a leading role when he meets his colleague African leaders to make a case for a collective effort in dealing with the crisis.

“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama assured the Kenyan government of his commitment to offering the kind of leadership that they are seeking from him at the next AU Summit and all other African fora to make sure that the issue of resuscitating Somalia becomes an important item on the agenda of the AU and that we have an approach that will bear fruits.”

The president also committed himself to working with the rest of Africa to improve trade.

Kenya is again ready to open a mission in Ghana to boost trade between the two countries.