Burundi, Somalia to strengthen diplomatic ties

Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Burundi and Somalia are to strengthen their diplomatic relations by opening embassies in Mogadishu and Bujumbura respectively.

The decision is part of the outcome of the 2-day working visit by Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed to Burundi last week, according to the presidency in Bujumbura.

President Ahmed was received on Saturday in the North-west province of Cibitoke, where his Burundian counterpart, Pierre Nkurunziza, performs community development work every weekend.

The Somali President expressed gratitude to Burundi for deploying troops as part of the African Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Burundi and Uganda are the two largest troops contributors to to AMISOM.
-0- PANA FB/SSB/JEN/SEG 20May2012