Details of Ruto's meeting with Somalia President in Rwanda

The two leaders met on the sidelines of President Paul Kagame's inauguration ceremony.

In Summary

• A communication by the Somalia President's office said their talks revolved around pressing security issues in the East Africa region.

• "They expressed a mutual commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and development, guided by shared values."

President William Ruto during a meeting with his Somalia counterpart Hassan Mohamud in Kigali, Rwanda on August 11, 2024.
President William Ruto during a meeting with his Somalia counterpart Hassan Mohamud in Kigali, Rwanda on August 11, 2024.
Image: VILLA SOMALIA

President William Ruto on Sunday held a meeting with his Somalia counterpart Hassan Mohamud in Kigali, Rwanda.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda's inauguration ceremony.

Kagame was taking over for his fourth term as President.

A communication by the Somalia President's office said their talks revolved around pressing security issues in the East Africa region.

The two Heads of State also discussed areas of furthering cooperation as partner states.

"In Kigali, His Excellency President Hassan Mohamud held a meeting with H.E. President William Ruto. Their discussions centred on the pressing challenges facing the region, including efforts to counter terrorism and explore further avenues of cooperation," Villa Somalia said on X.

The communication added that Ruto and Mohamud committed to enhancing regional peace and stability.

The two leaders reaffirmed the enduring Somalia-Kenya partnership and fostered strong people-to-people relations.

"They expressed a mutual commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and development, guided by shared values."

President Paul Kagame has been sworn in for a fourth term as Rwanda's president after winning 99 per cent of the vote in last month's election.

Several African heads of state were among the many thousands who attended the ceremony in the packed 45,000-capacity Amahoro National Stadium in the capital, Kigali.

Kagame has been the real power in Rwanda since his then-rebel forces came to power at the end of the genocide in which some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered, ousting the genocidal regime.

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