Dec 15, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Somalia has cut diplomatic ties with Kenya while accusing the neighboring country of violating Somali sovereignty and meddling in its internal affairs before a general election.
Information Minister Osman Dubbe announced this on the country’s national television in the wee hours of the morning, at 1.40 am local time adding that the diplomats should leave the country within seven days starting today.
“Kenya continues meddling in our internal political affairs and it has ignored our previous calls to stop violating our sovereignty,” Somalia’s Information Minister Osman Dubbe announced on state-run SNTV.
“We therefore declare that we have cut ties with Kenya over its poor violations on Somalia’s sovereignty.”
The escalation of the diplomatic spat which has led to a ‘divorce’ between the two neighbours comes two days after Somaliland President Muse Bihi arrived in Kenya on a three-day state visit that included talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The move to acknowledge and welcome Somaliland angered Somalia which in turn cut ties with Kenya.
“Kenya has no diplomatic presence in Somaliland but takes cognizance of the political and economic stability of the region and is keen to enhance and broaden trade in goods and services, as well as, investment as the cornerstone for long-term development cooperation with the region,” the foreign ministry said while announcing the arrival of President Bihi in the country Sunday.
Last week, Somalia had accused Kenya of placing intense political pressure on the regional President of Jubaland, in order to pursue its political and economic interests in Somalia.
“The Somali government expresses its regret in the government of Kenya’s overt and blatant interferences in the internal and political affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia which has the potential to be a hindrance to the stability, security and development of the entire region,” Somalia said in a statement, adding that “the Federal Government of Somalia believes that the Kenyan government actions are not in line with the internationally recognized diplomatic relations enjoyed by the Sovereign States.”
Somaliland is a self-declared de-facto state which is not recognized internationally but identified as part of Somalia.
