The Government of the Republic of Uganda will host the Inaugural Session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) with the Federal Republic of Somalia from August 6 – 7, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala.
The main purpose of this Meeting is to strengthen the existing excellent and cordial bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between both countries.
Uganda and Somalia enjoy excellent fraternal relations and strong historical bonds of friendship and solidarity firmly anchored on the principle of Pan Africanism.
The Bilateral relations between the two countries are mainly pursued through bilateral frameworks of Cooperation such the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) and Joint Permanent Investment and Business Council (JIBC) which will be hosted on a rotational basis between both countries.
Gen Jeje Abubakhar Odongo, Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs will lead Uganda’s delegation while Abshir Omar Huruuse, Somalia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will lead his country’s delegation at the Joint Permanent Commission meeting.
Pres #Museveni to #Uganda-n contigent: Came here for Summit, couldn’t go without greeting you #AMISOM #IGADMog2016 pic.twitter.com/bDcqQR0BnN
— Sarah Kagingo (@SarahKagingo) September 14, 2016
The critical issues, the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) will address are; Exploring new areas of cooperation between both countries, Regularize the different sector technical meetings of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC)
Ensure the timely implementation of all areas that have been agreed upon through an effective coordination and implementation mechanism.
The Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) will deliberate on enhancing bilateral cooperation between both countries in priority sector areas of; Diplomatic and Political Consultations, Trade and Investment, Defence Cooperation, Agriculture , Immigration, Education and Transport.
A Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Federal Government of Somalia was signed in Kampala, on 19th November 2016.
A Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed in August, 2019 and MOU between Makerere University and Somali University.
This Bilateral Air Service Agreement operationalized the commencement of Uganda Airlines direct flights from Uganda to Mogadishu.
In terms of Defence cooperation, Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to Somalia and remains the largest Troop Contributing Country (TCC) to AMISOM. AMISOM has seen relative peace and, stability in Somalia, leading to noticeable economic recovery, a boom in trade and reconstruction.