Kenya Cancels Opening of Somaliland Liaison Office in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Xinhua: Kenya has canceled a planned opening of a liaison office in the capital, Nairobi, by the Somaliland region of Somalia, saying that the event has not received official approval.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said, “Kenya maintains and respectfully reaffirms its unwavering recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign state.” The ministry said the event had not been granted approval.

“It’s investiture of the status of a diplomatic office does not enjoy the imprimatur of the Republic of Kenya and cannot proceed,” the ministry added.

The statement noted that Kenya values its relations with Somaliland, which has not been recognized internationally, and with other regional governments, with the aim of promoting peace, security, trade, and investment in the region.

As Somalia continues its state-building and institutional development agenda, Kenya is ready to support it through sustained dialogue and in pursuit of mutually beneficial partnerships, the ministry added.

However, the ministry said that it remains open to reviewing Somaliland’s application to open a liaison office in Nairobi.

In response, the Somaliland side expressed disappointment with Kenya’s decision to uphold the one-Somalia policy.

Somaliland has long sought international recognition as an independent state. However, Mogadishu, which regards Somaliland as part of its territory, has denounced the push for independence as an act of “aggression” without legal force.