Did Somalia overlook diplomatic practice in feud with Kenya?

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:   Kenya has said it is yet to get any official communication from Somalia regarding claims of interference and subsequent expulsion of its ambassador raising questions as to whether President Mohamed Farmaajo’s administration chose to address its neighbour through the media.

In a statement following the expulsion of ambassador Lucas Tumbo, Nairobi said it only learnt about the developments from ‘a press statement purportedly released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia’.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya has not received any Note Verbal nor any other official communication from the Federal Republic of Somalia requesting Kenya’s Ambassador to the Republic of Somalia to leave for Nairobi of consolations,” a statement from Nairobi read in part.

Under the conventional diplomatic practice, countries issue official communication to a country of concern through their respective ambassadors or High Commissioners before making public the matter.

The two countries have had rocky relations for a better part of President Farmaajo’s presidency which have resulted in adverse actions ranging from expulsion of ambassadors to economic sanctions.

Mogadishu Saturday demanded the exit of ambassador Tumbo over what it termed as Kenya’s interference on the ongoing electoral process. But in its response Monday, Nairobi rubbished the claims and called for peaceful and inclusive elections.

“The Government of Kenya expresses its deep regret over the unfortunate action purportedly taken by the Federal Government of Somalia requesting Kenya’s ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

It added the action ‘is purportedly base on unsubstantiated allegations.’