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We want a stable Somalia, UAE tells Kenya

Kenya's leader Mwai Kibaki is received by his host, Sheikh Khalif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of the United Arab Emirates at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on November 21, 2011. President Kibaki was on a state visit. PPS | AFRICA REVIEW |

Africa Review
Sunday, November 20, 2011

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Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Monday agreed that the resolution of the Somalia conflict and stabilisation of the Horn of Africa nation was a priority ahead of the reconstruction of the country.

Meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, President Mwai Kibaki and UAE President and ruler of the Abu Dhabi Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored their joint support for post-conflict Somalia, a country that has not had a stable central government in the last 20 years.

“We are following closely what is happening in Somalia and will support efforts to normalise Somalia and give hope to the country,” said President Zayed.

President Kibaki said Kenya’s current mission to Somalia was out of the desire to find lasting peace to Somalia and the region.

“We need normalcy and development in Somalia. We will continue our efforts to stabilise the country and look forward to getting the help of our friends to support the reconstruction of Somalia, whose people desire peace,” President Kibaki stressed.

The two leaders also underscored the need for increased humanitarian assistance for the people of Somalia who have borne the brunt of many years of conflict.

“Kenya is hosting close to one million of the Somali population. We must now start thinking of ways in which they can be integrated in a stable Somalia and support them in efforts to reconstruct their country,” the leaders affirmed.