Kenya has apologised to the Federal Republic of Somalia over the presence of the flag of the breakaway nation of Somaliland at a diplomatic event in Nairobi.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regretted for any embarrassment or inconvenience caused by the incident.
“The ministry further wishes to reaffirm its recognition of the sovereignty of one Federal Somali Government and the integrity of the Federal Somali State,” read part of the statement.
“Any inconvenience or embarrassment caused is deeply regretted.”
During the event in Nairobi on Tuesday, Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, walked out in protest following the presence of the representative of the Somaliland region.
Somalia stated that Kenya’s recognition of Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia in 1991, was a violation of its sovereignty.
The Embassy presented its compliments to Kenya over the violation of sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia as per the international law.
However, Kenya stated that it did not intend to violate the sovereignty of the neighbouring country by recognising Somaliland at the event.
The tussle comes just days after Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta attended the inauguration of Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, signaling a further improvement in the often frosty ties.
Somalia also agreed to resume imports of the narcotic leaf khat from Kenya after a two-year ban, as part of a larger trade agreement being negotiated between the East African neighbors.
Mogadishu had cut diplomatic ties with Nairobi in December 2020 after Nairobi hosted Somaliland’s political leadership, but they agreed to re-establish ties in August last year.
