Good morning, honorable members of the Kenya National Assembly, and Senators, honorable members from the Somaliland House of Representatives, ladies and gentlemen, all protocols observed.
It is our great pleasure and honor to welcome all distinguished members of the Kenya National Assembly and Senators who joined us at this historic event of Somaliland – Kenya’s new chapter of parliamentary cooperation. My profound gratitude goes to Hon. Adan Haji Yousuf, and Fadumo Egge who mobilized the members of parliament to join the new caucus.
I’m grateful to Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker of the National Assembly who welcomed and approved the re-establishment of the Somaliland- Kenya parliamentary caucus.
On this occasion, I would also like to thank Safiya Abdi Nour the chair of the previous Somaliland- Kenyan parliamentary caucus who is handing over today to the new chair of the caucus. Safiya played a great role in promoting the bilateral and brotherly relationship between Somaliland and Kenya, and her engagement was tremendous and tangible.
Honorable members of parliament, and ladies and gentlemen, today, is a great day to re-establish the Somaliland- Kenyan parliamentary caucus whom a great number of distinguished members of parliament are committed to supporting the efforts towards advancing the bilateral and beneficial relationship between the two countries.
Somaliland and Kenya’s relationship is underpinned by a shared history of the colonial legacy and common values of democracy, a free economy, free people movements, and promoting free trade and regional economic integration.
The ideal notion of the African continental free trade area, and creating one African common market is substantial to transform the idea into practical, Somaliland and Kenya have the spirit politically and economically to actualize the continental free trade movements.
The geostrategic landscape that both countries located in East Africa are not only attractive to many regional, international, and global powers but Somaliland and Kenya are indispensable partners for regional peace, security, and economic cooperation.
There are many unlocked opportunities and potentiality that both countries can explore, and cooperate for the benefit of our citizens. The regional and international geopolitical dynamics which the Ukraine war instigated, compelled us to open all trade avenues we have as a continent of Africa in order to prevent the shortage of food, and the impact of climate change.
In the modern history of Africa, we remained many challenges including poverty, shortage of food, ethnic violent conflicts, and natural disasters.
In addition, the restrictions on the people movement and exchange of goods and services among African countries are not helping our economic growth and development we aspire.
In this regard, Somaliland is committed to promoting free trade of movement and people. There are unlimited opportunities that both Somaliland and Kenya can work together on the premises of these historical ties.
Today, there are thousands of Kenyan citizens working in Somaliland, as our mission here in Kenya facilitates everyday entry visas a lot of Kenyan citizens go to Somaliland for employment and business opportunity.
We are hoping that Somaliland- the Kenyan parliamentary new caucus will be instrumental in accelerating the progressive bilateral relationship between the two countries.
As Somaliland and Kenya are leading democratic nations in East Africa, our cooperation on many fronts of trade, security, culture, and people-to-people will all pave the way for fostering greater economic, trade connectivity, and fight against terrorism, and regional spoilers.
Thank you