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The Somali government has welcomed the reopening of the airspace by Kenya following a month-long closure due to diplomatic spat between the two neighbouring countries.
This come hours after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced re-opening of its airspace to flights from and to Somalia under strict Covid-19 protocols.
Government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said the move by Nairobi could result in full normalization of bilateral ties between Nairobi and Mogadishu.
“This move could pave the way for normalization of the bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries,” Moalimuu said in a brief statement.
According the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the goodwill gesture was made to boost the bilateral ties and was necessitated by mutual interests of the two countries.
“…has the honour to inform that the Government of Kenya has taken due consideration of intercessions made and has decided to re-open Kenya’s airspace to all flights originating from Somalia and emanating from Kenya to Somalia,” read part of the statement.
Further, the ministry advised that existing Covid-19 protocols applicable to all passengers travelling to Kenya remain in place.
According to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; all passengers/ crew coming to Kenya must be in possession of a valid Covid-19 negative PCR test certificate conducted within 96 hours before travel.
However, all travellers (children) below the age of 5 years will be exempted from Covid-19 negative PCR test to enter the country.
“All travellers will be expected to fill the travellers’ locator form and submit before travel to http://bit.ly/covid19moh and thereafter submit daily health information to jitenge platform for 14 consecutive days,” stated KCAA.
The country had suspended flights to and from Somalia, just days after the countries restored diplomatic ties after a five-month break.
The announcement came after Somalia’s aviation agency intercepted two Kenyan flights carrying khat, a mild narcotic stimulant.
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