NAIROBI– Kenya has downplayed reports that it has appointed an ambassador to Somaliland, a self- declared autonomous State of Somalia.
Through a statement sent to the media on Thursday, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs clarified that the status of the new representative is a consul General.
The statement added that the ministry only recognizes Somaliland as a regional government within the Federal government of Somalia and underscored Kenya’s unwavering recognition of one united Federal Republic of Somalia.
#Kenya has downplayed reports that it has appointed an ambassador to Somaliland, a self- declared autonomous State of #Somalia. pic.twitter.com/0Jncr18rgG
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) October 26, 2023
The development comes amid an uproar from Kenyan legislators and political leaders over the decision by the government to naming an ambassador to Somaliland saying it could have serious diplomatic repercussion.
President William Ruto had on October 4th through the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei picked Abdi Weli Hussein as Kenya’s ambassador to Somaliland.
Somali government has not officially responded to the appointment of Mr. Hussein as Kenya’s Ambassador to Somaliland.
Somalia and Kenya government have had strained diplomatic relations spanning from 2020 when former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo accused Kenya government of interfering with the internal affairs of Somalia.
However, the two neighbouring countries normalised relations when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Kenya last year and met with Uhuru Kenyatta, the former President.
