Kenya Urges WFP to Re-open its Offices in Somalia

President Kibaki - Determined to help Somalia

Kenyan government has assured Somalia that it will continue to provide technical and humanitarian support in her efforts to achieve peace and security. Kenyan president, Mwai Kibaki confirmed this today after holding talks with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who had paid the president a courtesy call at his Harambee House office. According to presidential press service, president Kibaki expressed concern over the recent closure of the WFP offices in Somalia which he said will affect over one million Somali people who are in dire need of food

The President, who has mobilised international support for the Somalia peace process, reiterated his call to the World Food Program (WFP) to reopen its offices in Somalia and begin distributing food in that country. President Kibaki also called on the international community to honour their pledges of support to the TFG and that Kenya backs the Djibouti peace process as the only framework for lasting peace, reconciliation and national healing in Somalia. Kibaki further commended the Somali President for his efforts towards consolidating peace by instituting dialogue and reconciliation with divergent groups willing to cooperate and renounce violence.

He encouraged the Somali leader to reach out and hold talks with factions that are opposed to his government. During the meeting, the Somali President briefed President Kibaki on the current security situation in Somalia. The Somali President reaffirmed the Transitional Federal Government’s willingness to hold dialogue with parties ready to commit themselves to peace. President Ahmed was accompanied by Somali ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance Mr. Ali Jama and Sharif Hassan Sheikh respectively.

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