Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Ruto's Somalia pivot

Published on 12.01.2023 at 06:00 GMT Reading time 3 minutes

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and on the right his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto. © REUTERS / Yasuyoshi CHIBA/AFP

Kenya's new president looks set to step up his fledgling rapprochement with neighbouring Somalia, marking a stark departure from the policy of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

This article may be accessed by subscribers

In order to ensure high-quality and independent journalism, Africa Intelligence relies solely on subscriptions from its readers, with no advertising, no events and no consulting work.

Several offers are available depending on your particular reading needs

Consult our offers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

Discover our work by making use of the following possibilities: daily newsletters, a selection of free articles, keyword alerts.

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

create a free account

Nigeria
Interior Ministry creates paramilitary forest guard

To regain control of the security situation in national parks and Nigerian forest reserves, the ministry of the environment has succeeded in obtaining approval for the creation of a new armed force.

Subscribers only Defence 29.05.2025

Ethiopia
Ogaden Liberation Front announces plenary session from abroad

The gathering is due to take place on 26-27 October.

Subscribers only Politics 25.10.2024

Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Somalia's leader is in a fragile position on political, diplomatic and security fronts with less than two years to go before the next national presidential election. He will have to resolve a number of dilemmas regarding the allies he has chosen.

Subscribers only Defence 27.08.2024

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in his office in Mogadishu in February 2024.

Kenya, Somalia
Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

Kenyan security services reckon the security needed to resume cross-border trade is not yet in place. This is putting the brakes on Somalia's integration into the East African Community.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.03.2024

Kenyan security officers in Liboi, near the Kenyan border with Somalia, in 2011.

Kenya
Al Shabaab attacks threaten president's coalition

Backed by Kenya's deputy president, a group of MPs unhappy with the government's inaction over insecurity in the coastal county of Lamu is threatening to withdraw its support for William Ruto.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 13.10.2023

Kenyan police officers check vehicles in the coastal region of Lamu on 2 January 2020.

East Africa, Somalia
Mohamud deploys top guns to secure EAC membership

Somalia is hoping to quickly persuade member states of the East African Community to let it join the organisation.

Free access Diplomacy 25.08.2023

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud in Washington on 13 December 2022.

Kenya
Cross-border Al-Shabaab threat prompts intel rethink

Nairobi is rearranging its security apparatus to better address the risk of infiltration into counties bordering Somalia. The emphasis is on gathering strategic data.

Subscribers only Defence 26.06.2023

Kenya's new director general of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, in Nairobi in August 2018.

Kenya, Somalia
Behind the scenes of the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border

The long-anticipated reopening of the land border between Kenya and Somalia is expected to take place in stages over several months. This détente, which follows years of tension, could even entail setting up a new crossing point to complement the three already in preparation.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 23.05.2023

Kenyan Minister of Interior Kithure Kindiki (L) and Somali Internal Security Minister Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali attend a joint press conference on re-opening the border between Kenya and Somali at Harambee House in Nairobi on 15 May, 2023.

Somalia
EU provides €5m for humanitarian air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi

The EU will fund air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi, as well as within Somalia, for the next three years in order to maintain its humanitarian aid in the country.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 22.03.2023

East Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia
Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn

Somaliland, long seen as a haven of stability in a troubled region, is facing increasing unrest as fighting continues around the town of Las Anod between the breakaway province's army and militias loyal to Somalia and backed by al-Shabaab fighters.

Subscribers only Defence 08.03.2023

Eritrea, Kenya
Afwerki cosies up to Ruto at Abiy's expense

The Eritrean president has made a rare diplomatic move for his traditionally isolationist country, seeking to distance his country from neighbouring Ethiopia by moving closer to Nairobi.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 24.02.2023

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki arrives for a joint news conference with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto during his visit in State House in Nairobi, the 9th of February 2023.

Kenya
Interior Minister Kindiki in show of strength with police chief

The minister, a key ally of President William Ruto, is seeking to boost his sphere of influence within the Kenyan government by getting the upper hand on security issues. The chief of police is far from pleased.

Subscribers only Politics 20.02.2023

Kenya
Ruto tweaks his diplomatic and business ties with Paris

The new president wants to add his own personal touch to Franco-Kenyan relations, which flourished under his predecessor. French diplomats and businesses have been updating their plans for Kenya after Ruto's recent trip to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 10.02.2023

French President Emmanuel Macron with Kenya's President William Ruto, prior to a meeting at the Elysee in Paris, on 24th of January 2023.

Kenya, Somalia
Ruto preparing to reopen land border with Somalia

Breaking news published on 05/12/22 at 1:20 pm - The Kenyan and Somali presidents have agreed to reopen the main land crossings between their two countries following intense negotiations between both heads of state. This marks a shift in the bilateral relationship, and in Kenyan security policy.

Subscribers only Politics 05.12.2022

Somalia
How Coastline Exploration bagged first oil deal of HSM era

The US junior has finally acquired the seven offshore blocks it has been eyeing for many months, thanks to the return to power of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his new government in Somalia.

Subscribers only Energy 02.11.2022

Oil exploration revival in Somalia on the cards?

Horn of Africa
IOG and Kenyatta join forces to prevent Somalian president's re-election

Following Uhuru Kenyatta's lead, Djibouti's head of state is using Somaliland as leverage to damage Farmajo's reputation.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 08.01.2021

The President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta and Odinga play the Somaliland card to weaken Farmajo's 2021 election chances

For three days, the Kenyan head of state rolled out the red carpet for Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi. Bihi himself took advantage of the trip to meet one of the leaders of the opposition to Somali president Farmajo, with the help of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Subscribers only Politics 21.12.2020

Uhuru Kenyatta and Musa Bihi Abdi, on 14 December 2020 in Nairobi.

Text size

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Ruto's Somalia pivot

Kenya's new president looks set to step up his fledgling rapprochement with neighbouring Somalia, marking a stark departure from the policy of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Related topics to this article

Read also

Nigeria
Interior Ministry creates paramilitary forest guard

Ethiopia
Ogaden Liberation Front announces plenary session from abroad

Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Kenya, Somalia
Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

Kenya
Al Shabaab attacks threaten president's coalition

East Africa, Somalia
Mohamud deploys top guns to secure EAC membership

Kenya
Cross-border Al-Shabaab threat prompts intel rethink

Kenya, Somalia
Behind the scenes of the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border

Somalia
EU provides €5m for humanitarian air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi

East Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia
Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn

Eritrea, Kenya
Afwerki cosies up to Ruto at Abiy's expense

Kenya
Interior Minister Kindiki in show of strength with police chief

Kenya
Ruto tweaks his diplomatic and business ties with Paris

Kenya, Somalia
Ruto preparing to reopen land border with Somalia

Somalia
How Coastline Exploration bagged first oil deal of HSM era

Horn of Africa
IOG and Kenyatta join forces to prevent Somalian president's re-election

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta and Odinga play the Somaliland card to weaken Farmajo's 2021 election chances

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Ibrahim Traoré

Virtus Minerals

Paul Kagame

Savannah Energy

Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia Ruto's Somalia pivot

Kenya's new president looks set to step up his fledgling rapprochement with neighbouring Somalia, marking a stark departure from the policy of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Related topics to this article

Read also

Nigeria Interior Ministry creates paramilitary forest guard

Ethiopia Ogaden Liberation Front announces plenary session from abroad

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Kenya, Somalia Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

Kenya Al Shabaab attacks threaten president's coalition

East Africa, Somalia Mohamud deploys top guns to secure EAC membership

Kenya Cross-border Al-Shabaab threat prompts intel rethink

Kenya, Somalia Behind the scenes of the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border

Somalia EU provides €5m for humanitarian air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi

East Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn

Eritrea, Kenya Afwerki cosies up to Ruto at Abiy's expense

Kenya Interior Minister Kindiki in show of strength with police chief

Kenya Ruto tweaks his diplomatic and business ties with Paris

Kenya, Somalia Ruto preparing to reopen land border with Somalia

Somalia How Coastline Exploration bagged first oil deal of HSM era

Horn of Africa IOG and Kenyatta join forces to prevent Somalian president's re-election

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia Kenyatta and Odinga play the Somaliland card to weaken Farmajo's 2021 election chances

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Ruto's Somalia pivot

Nigeria
Interior Ministry creates paramilitary forest guard

Ethiopia
Ogaden Liberation Front announces plenary session from abroad

Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud suffers mid-term blues

Kenya, Somalia
Re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border back on hold

Kenya
Al Shabaab attacks threaten president's coalition

East Africa, Somalia
Mohamud deploys top guns to secure EAC membership

Kenya
Cross-border Al-Shabaab threat prompts intel rethink

Kenya, Somalia
Behind the scenes of the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border

Somalia
EU provides €5m for humanitarian air links between Mogadishu and Nairobi

East Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia
Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn

Eritrea, Kenya
Afwerki cosies up to Ruto at Abiy's expense

Kenya
Interior Minister Kindiki in show of strength with police chief

Kenya
Ruto tweaks his diplomatic and business ties with Paris

Kenya, Somalia
Ruto preparing to reopen land border with Somalia

Somalia
How Coastline Exploration bagged first oil deal of HSM era

Horn of Africa
IOG and Kenyatta join forces to prevent Somalian president's re-election

Spotlight | Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta and Odinga play the Somaliland card to weaken Farmajo's 2021 election chances