Noting that the two countries, are interconnected, the two presidents emphasized the need to take steps to ‘avoid anything that may cause misunderstanding’.

The statement added that the two leaders agreed to immediately form a joint committee to ‘strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between the two peoples.’

ACCUSATIONS AND COUNTER-ACCUSATIONS

The telephone call came hot on the heels of fast deteriorating relations between the two countries.

A deadly fight between Somali National Army and Jubbaland forces in Belet-Hawo Monday spilled into Kenya’s Mandera leading to casualties and destruction of property.

Somalia has accused Kenya of ‘intrusion and encroachment’ taking its complaints to the UN Security Council. In particular, Mogadishu is pointing fingers at Nairobi for harbouring the fugitive Jubbaland Security Minister Abdirashid Janan who escaped custody in Mogadishu last month.

But Nairobi fired back Wednesday following a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Kenyatta.
"We therefore urge the Federal Government of Somalia, to cease and desist from the unwarranted provocations and focus on managing its internal affairs for the welfare of her people; defeating terrorism; and advancing the cause of peace, security and stability in the region,” the Security Council noted.
The two leaders last met in October following an almost year-long icy relations and agreed to restore diplomatic relations.