Following more than a decade of common border closure that began in 2011, Kenya and Somalia have jointly agreed to reopen their land border in 90 days. Last July, the two countries announced their intention to reopen the border, but this never materialized. 

Amid warming ties between the two nations, the decision was announced by Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki and his Somalia counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh after high-level consultations in Nairobi on May 15, 2023. The meeting revolved around issues of bilateral cooperation in security, trade and the movement of people.

The first to open is Bula Hawa in Mandera in 30 days. Next is Liboi (Mandera) in 60 days and Ras Kamboni (Lamu) in 90 days, Kindiki said.

Observers believe that the project, which will run over the next three years, has the potential to boost bilateral trade, regional security and counter extremism. Kenya closed its borders with Somalia in 2011 as part of Operations Linda Nchi to fight the influx of Al-Shabab fighters. 

On the security front, the two ministers revealed that the discussions centred around the need for shared cross-border intelligence and enhancement of law enforcement capacity to man the borders.

The initiative, worth over Ksh1.7 billion ($12 million), is funded by the United Kingdom, aiming to find a lasting solution to perennial insecurity and instability in the Horn of Africa due to the Al-Shabaab insurgency.

The agreement reflects improving relations between the two countries, with  Somalia severing diplomatic ties with neighbouring Kenya, accusing it of violating Somali sovereignty and meddling in its internal affairs before a general election. On the other hand, Kenya has accused Mogadishu of looking for a scapegoat for its domestic challenges.