Both Uganda and Somalia have appended signatures on the minutes of the inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission-JPC during the senior official meeting held between the two countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Kampala.
The inaugural JPC meeting concluded on the three Memoranda of Understanding which included the Diplomatic & Political consultations, Defence and Trade. The Memorandum seek to streamline and harmonize the implementation of political, defense and trade ties between the two countries.
“On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Uganda and on my own behalf, I welcome you, Permanent Secretary, and the delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia to this landmark occasion of the First Session of the Uganda-Somalia Joint Permanent Commission,”said Ambassador Arthur Kafeero the Director Regional and International Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda.
According to Ambassador Kafeero, Uganda and Somalia enjoy a special bond of friendship emboldened by among others the commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region and the African continent as a whole, promotion of continental economic integration and the doctrine of African solutions to African problems.
“As you are aware, Uganda was the first country to voluntarily commit Troops to the pacification of Somalia and still remains the largest Troop Contributing Country to AMISOM. Our continued quest for peace in the region is manifest in our commitment to remain active in the newly formed African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) that has now transitioned from AMISOM,” he asserted.
Ambassador Arthur Kafeero further revealed that On the 19th day of November 2016, Uganda and Somalia signed a Framework Agreement, in Kampala.The Agreement identified specific areas of cooperation within the Political, Economic and the Social Sector. It is these three thematic areas that we, the Senior Officials, have looked at today and come up with strategic, relevant, attainable and workable parameters for action.
Almost six years down the road, the Framework Agreement has registered progress in some areas for instance, the Signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) in August 2019 and Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCC&I) and the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry on April 1, 2022.
Ambassador Kafeero noted that “While these achievements are applauded, Article 5(2) of the Framework Agreement calls for the operationalization of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) and establishment of the Joint Permanent Investment and Business Council (JPIBC). Our gathering here today, therefore, is a concrete step towards the implementation of the afore-mentioned provisions of the agreement and a true testimony of the strong commitment by both countries to deepen their bilateral relations“.
Both presidents of the two countries have exhibited utmost will to work together for their countries Political stability and economic growth and indeed there is substantial optimism that the deliberations and out come of the meeting that gave birth to the agreement ascented to by the two countries will bear sustainable fruits.
The Somalia delegation was led by Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur Hagi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
About The Author
