JOINT COMMUNIQUE: Prime Minister’s Visit to Burundi

1. At the invitation of His Excellency Engineer Prosper Bazombanza, First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, paid an official visit to the Republic of Burundi from the 15th October to the 16th October 2014.
2. Upon arrival at the Bujumbura International Airport in the company of a high-level delegation, His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, was welcomed by His Excellency Engineer Prosper Bazombanza, First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, accompanied by senior officials of Burundi.
3. During his stay in Burundi, the Somali Prime Minister paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic. Both Authorities appreciated the good relations between our two countries and reiterated the commitment to further strengthen them in different areas, but also to exchange experience, particularly with regard to peace and security, development, public administration and community development works.
4. During this visit, which pertains to the strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Burundi and the Federal Republic of Somalia, the two personalities had fruitful discussions on common interest issues at bilateral level especially with regard to the implementation two agreements signed in Bujumbura in April 10, 2014, namely the General Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation and the Memorandum of Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Cooperation Committee.
5. The two personalities instructed the Ministers in charge of Defense and Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion to work together with their counterparts to come up with a roadmap for monitoring the implementation of the commitments of both parties.
6. The Burundian Party urged that the decision to close the Somali diplomatic mission in Bujumbura on December 31, 2014 to be reconsidered, given that the presence of a Somali Embassy is essential for finding ways and means to deepen and diversify cooperation relations between the two brotherly countries.

The Somali party noted this concern and agreed to review its decision.

1. The promise of a land grant to the Government of Burundi to erect the Chancery and the Residence of the Embassy in Somalia was also discussed. The Somali Party agreed to follow up this issue and ensure that documents relating to the land grant are issued.
2. The Burundian Party reminded the wish of the former Head of State of Somalia, expressed during his visit to Burundi in May 2012 to build in the borough of Kayokwe, a work symbolizing the friendship between the peoples of Burundi and Somalia. The Somali Party is committed to fulfilling that promise.
3. Both Parties shared serious concerns over the allegation made by Human Rights Watch on sexual abuse by some AMISOM forces in Somalia. The established Team of Burundian Experts in collaboration with Somali High Level Ministerial Committee will investigate this and take immediate steps against anyone found guilty. Both Parties reaffirmed their commitment to zero-tolerance against sexual exploitation.
4. During his visit in Burundi, His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia visited Afritextile, a textile factory based in Bujumbura.

He also met Burundian businesspeople and urged them to invest in various fields including the reforestation, infrastructure, the banking sector, crafts, fishing, textile, telecommunication etc.

During the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia extended an invitation to Burundian Chamber of Commerce to visit Somalia in order to interact with Somali Chamber of Commerce and Somali investors to explore investment and trade opportunities in both countries. Parties further discussed the importance of promotion of intra-Africa trade and strengthening regional economic integration.

1. During discussions, His Excellency Prosper Bazombanza, First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, praised the work of the People and Government of Somalia in its pursuit of the quest for peace and security throughout Somalia as well as progress made on the state formation processes. He reiterated the commitment of the Government of Burundi to support Somalia in its process of national reconstruction, especially with regard to capacity building in the fields of defense, security, police structures, administration and public services.
2. His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia praised the quality of the relations of friendship and cooperation that unite his country and Burundi. He praised the work of reconstruction and national reconciliation in which institutions from the democratic process since 2005 have visibly contributed, and stressed that Somalia has much to learn from the Burundian experience.
3. He expressed his sincere thanks to the People and Government of Burundi under the stewardship of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Honorable Pierre Nkurunziza, for the efforts of the Burundian army, its dedication and discipline during peacekeeping operations in Somalia.
4. Finally, His Excellency Dr. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed, Prime Minister of Somalia, expressed his sincere thanks to his counterpart, His Excellency Engineer Prosper Bazombanza, First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, the Government and people of Burundi for the warm welcome and hospitality that have been afforded to him and to his delegation. He also requested the First Vice President of Burundi to visit Somalia.
5. His Excellency Engineer Prosper Bazombanza, First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi has kindly accepted the invitation. The two delegations agreed to schedule the visit before the end of the year 2014 on dates to be agreed through diplomatic channels.
6. This visit will be preceded by the holding of the Joint Commission, which will be finalized by the signing of sectoral agreements in the fields of peace and security, public administration, political affairs, trade and transport.

For the Federal Republic of Somalia For the Republic of Burundi

H.E Buri Hamza H.E Laurent Kavakure
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for External Relations
and Investment Promotion and International Cooperation