Somalia has restored diplomatic ties with Kenya five months after bilateral relations were suspended between the often-tense neighbours over allegations of interference. Somalia made this announcement on Thurrday
Somalia cut ties with Kenya on December 15 after Kenya hosted the leadership of Somaliland, a breakaway state not recognised by the central government in Mogadishu.
The Ministry of information in a statement noted the Federal Government of Somalia announces that in keeping with the interests of good neighbourliness, it has resumed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kenya.
“The two governments agree to keep friendly relations between them on the basis of principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the other’s international affair.”
The statement acknowledges the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, for playing a major part in the reconciliation, which has been welcomed by Kenya.
The statement said further“the ministry of foreign affairs acknowledges the continued support that has been extended from the international community, and in particular the government of Qatar, in efforts to normalise the diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya,”
Somalia has long bristled over what it calls Kenya’s meddling in regions over its border, while Nairobi has accused Mogadishu of using it as a scapegoat for its own political problems.
The pair have also engaged in a long-running territorial dispute over a stretch of the Indian Ocean claimed by both nations believed to hold valuable deposits of oil and gas, and have sought international arbitration over the matter.
The row over which nation controls access to the lucrative deposits escalated in early 2019 after Somalia decided to auction off oil and gas blocks in a disputed maritime area, prompting Kenya to recall its ambassador from Mogadishu in February that year.
