Somalia has announced the termination of all diplomatic ties with Kenya. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning, some minutes before 2 a.m.
The minister for information in Somalia Osman Dubbe made the announcement, citing Kenya’s constant violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Kenya was given 7 days to remove all its diplomats in Mogadishu and Somalia. In return, Somalia will recall all its diplomats in Nairobi.
“Somalia wants all its diplomats to go back to Mogadishu and Kenyan diplomats have seven days to leave the country,’’ Dubbe said.
It was an immediate aftermath of a visit by the President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi’s visit to the country. Bihi held bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday. He also met with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
We discussed a number of subjects of mutual interest with the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, today at the State House in Nairobi. We are grateful to H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for their warm welcome during this Official Visit. pic.twitter.com/tQlVDxdYR4
— Muse Bihi Abdi (@musebiihi) December 14, 2020
It was my pleasure to have a meeting with our nation's great friend, H.E @RailaOdinga in Nairobi, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and African Union High Representative For Infrastructure Development.
Discussed various topics on the security and development of the region. pic.twitter.com/A4CxuKjfQP
— Muse Bihi Abdi (@musebiihi) December 15, 2020
This is not the first time Somalia is accusing Kenya of meddling in its affairs. It considers Somaliland a ‘federal member of the state of Somalia’, and often cuts ties with countries that show cooperation with that government.
Last year, Mogadishu cut ties with Guinea after it also hosted the president of Somaliland.
It is still unclear what the ramifications of this move will be, and the extent to which whether business between the two countries will be affected.
