The Somali gorvement responded to issues related to Kenyan Miraa trade, which some Kenyan media sources have currently been reporting that Miraa flights might resume to Somalia. Kenyans reap millions of Kenya shillings daily from the export of Miraa to Somalia.
An official close to the Somali president has confirmed to the BBC that talks are under way between the two sides over many issues including Miraa. He also added that the country is demanding a lot of things from Kenya in order for both sides to have fruitful outcome.
Somali demands for Miraa import
According to BBC Somali radio, talks between the two gorvements are still ongoing and no-official decision has been made. Somali has urged the Kenyan authorities to implement a number of measures, including:
- Joining the EAC
Somalia has been aspiring to be part of the East African Community, which currently comprises of seven countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and DRC. During the opening of the talks between the two countries, Somali gorvement requested Kenya to work with it to realize its ambition to join the EAC.
Kenya being one of the most active members of the community has played major key roles in the past , Kenya helped Sudan in joining the organization. The main Somali’s objective is to strengthen trade activities in Somalia and allow Somali passport holders to travel between the member states of East African Community without visa.
- Lifting of travel restrictions to Kenya
Another requirement the Somali’s want fulfiled is easy travel for it citizens to Kenya.As for now, a Somali citizen travelling to Kenya is required to obtain visa upon arrival in Kenya before boarding the flight. The problem with get visa is that at times it costs a lot of time(up-to even months) and it costly.
- Fish export to Kenya
It has been always one of the Somali’s long interest to share the Kenya’s lucrative fish market, according to a gorvement official from Somalia, if fish export to Kenya is successful , it will pave way for other goods to be exported from Somalia.
