Kenya and Somalia have announced an agreement to reopen their land border at three points by July 1, following its closure in 2011 due to the insurgency by radical Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

The decision was made during a meeting in Nairobi between delegations of ministers from both countries, focusing on security cooperation, trade, and the movement of people.

Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, stated that the border reopening would be implemented gradually over the next 90 days.

The Mandera-Bulahawa border post would be the first to open within 30 days, followed by Liboi-Harhar within 60 days, and Kiunga-Ras Kamboni on July 1. Additionally, the possibility of adding a fourth border crossing in Wajir county is also under consideration.

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The official closure of the 700 km-long border was prompted by Kenya in 2011 to combat attacks launched by Al-Shabaab, including kidnappings of tourists and foreign aid workers.

The Kenyan army subsequently intervened in Somalia and joined the African Union force (Amisom) in 2012, leading to the liberation of several Al-Shabaab strongholds.

Over the years, Kenya has experienced numerous deadly attacks by Al-Shabaab, such as the Westgate shopping center attack in Nairobi in 2013, the University of Garissa attack in 2015, and the Dusit hotel complex attack in 2019.

The relationship between Kenya and Somalia, both theoretically allies against Al-Shabaab, has been strained. Somalia has accused Kenya of interference, while Kenya has accused Somalia of seeking a scapegoat for its internal issues.

The two countries have also been in dispute over their maritime boundary in the Indian Ocean, with the International Court of Justice ruling in favor of Somalia in October, a decision rejected by Kenya.