Kenya de-lists Somaliland Liaison Office from list of the world embassies

NAIROBI, Kenya - As a precaution to protect the relationship with Somalia, Kenya has delisted Somaliland's laison office from a long list of diplomatic offices, further reaffirming the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Horn of Africa nation.

The government of Somalia has been facing off against the breakaway region of Somaliland, which is fighting for international recognition, leading to shuttle diplomatic missions set to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In the updated list, the government of Kenya, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, corrected the official list of embassies and diplomatic missions operating in the country after a link circulated on social media showed “The Republic of Somaliland” included by name.

In the previously shared list, Somaliland was listed at number 20, sparking widespread debate and public reaction. However, the Kenyan government has now revised the list and removed the reference to Somaliland.

On Thursday, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi alias Irro unveiled a liaison office in Nairobi, but on the same day, Kenya reissued an official statement reaffirming its “unwavering” recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign state.

Kenya maintained it was unaware of the opening of the liaison office, adding that there was no such approval sanctioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, Irro was ushered into the State House, Nairobi, where he held talks with President William Ruto.

"I held a significant meeting with President William Ruto. In our meeting, we held discussions on strengthening the relationship between the two countries, particularly on trade, education, transport, and economy," he said in a statement written in Swahili.

"We also discussed regional affairs within the Horn of Africa, with peace, stability, and security being the guiding factors. The government and the people of Kenya invited us with open hearts, and I thank them," he adds.

The government of Somalia has closely worked with Kenya on matters of safety and stability, with the Kenya Defence Forces contributing troops for peace peacekeeping mission. Kenya is also a major trading partner of the Horn of Africa nation.

GAROWE ONLINE