Kenya says ‘regrets’ presence of Somaliland diplomat at President’s meeting

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NAIROBI: Kenya has responded to Somalia’s complaints about its decision to invite a representative from Somaliland to a diplomatic meeting chaired by the country’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

In a note verbale by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi expressed “regret” over the “inadvertent and inappropriate presence” of the flag of Somaliland at the “Annual Diplomatic Function” hosted by Uhuru Kenyatta. 

“The ministry further wishes to reaffirm its recognition of the sovereignty of one Federal Somali Government and the integrity of the Federal Somali State. Any inconvenience or embarrassment caused is deeply regretted”.

The spat comes just days after Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, attended the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, signalling a turnaround in relations following an icy relationship between the two countries during the reign of immediate former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Also, the spat comes barely two years after Mogadishu severed diplomatic ties with Nairobi after the East African Nation hosted the political leadership of Somaliland, but relations were restored the following year in August.