MOGADISHU, Dec 15 (NNN-KBC) — The federal government of Somalia has cut diplomatic ties with neighbouring Kenya.
It has recalled all its diplomats from Nairobi and given Kenyan diplomats in Mogadishu seven days to leave the country.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information Osman Abukar Dubbe on state media.
The Kenyan government is yet to respond to the latest development.
“The Somali government, based on its national sovereignty guaranteed by international law and order, and fulfilling its constitutional duty to safeguard the nationhood, unity and stability of the country, has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Kenyan government,” he said
The decision comes after Somalia submitted a letter of protest against Kenya to Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is also chair of the regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Somalia recently accused Kenya of meddling in its internal affairs. This is not the first time the two countries have been embroiled in a diplomatic tiff.
Last month Somalia pulled a similar move recalling its Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarzan and instructing the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Somalia, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo, to leave the country.
But efforts to restore ties seemed to have been bearing fruits with a Kenyan delegation visiting Mogadishu last month.
The team led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau was received by Somalia envoy Mohamed Ali Nur.
Kamau said the team was on a mission to explore investment opportunities and boost bilateral ties between the two countries. — NNN-KBC
