Kenya Plans to Reopen its Embassy in Mogadishu

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The relationship between two states or more is important when it comes to boosting the economies of the concerned countries. Therefore, countries should at all times be in good and positive relationships to encourage more growth and development in their states. As a result, Kenya wants to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu.

Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan are in a bind as a result of the GERD construction, which may jeopardize Egypt’s irrigation projects and Sudan’s dams. Kenya and Somalia were also in disagreement with each other, but their relationship has become better with time.

What happened between Kenya and Somalia?

Kenya and Somalia severed ties after Mogadishu accused Kenya of interfering in Somalia’s affairs, including a 600-kilometer border dispute. This resulted in the diplomatic relationship between the two states breaking down in December 2020. During this time, President Uhuru Kenyatta received the President of Somaliland in Nairobi. Mogadishu considers Somaliland a part of Somalia. The international community has not yet recognized Somaliland as an independent nation. Somaliland broke off from the larger Somalia due to wars and today the two nations are not on very good terms with each other.

About the Oceanic Border

The two states are also at odds over the definition of their maritime border in the Indian Ocean, a matter that the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ main judicial body, will determine. Another source of friction is Juba Land, a Somali state bordering Kenya in the South. Kenya views this region as a buffer zone between its territory and the al-Qaeda-linked Al Shabab and backs regional president Ahmed Madobe, whose relations with Mogadishu are strained.

What is the current relationship between Kenya and Somalia?

Last month, on May 6^th, we witnessed Somalia resume its diplomatic relations with Kenya. Kenya responded by saying it would take note of Somalia’s initiative and look forward to Somalia’s proposal for the continuation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, we can say that Kenya is on good terms with Somalia as it resumed its direct flights to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

Last weekend, the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote to his Kenyan counterpart, inviting him to reestablish the Kenyan diplomatic mission in Mogadishu.

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on Monday on its Twitter account that:

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya acknowledges and accepts the Federal Government of Somalia’s invitation to restore diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya.”

The Kenyan government said it will continue to restore its embassy in Mogadishu as soon as feasible and invited the Federal Republic of Somalia’s ambassador to return to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and resume his duties.

As Kenya heads towards its general elections in August 2022, the big question is whether the new leadership will be able to maintain the good relationship between Kenya and Somalia. The outgoing president, President Uhuru Kenyatta, is doing a lot of work to ensure that Kenya has a good relationship with other states, apart from Somalia. For example, he met with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to strengthen the relationship between Kenya and France.