The Federal Government of Somalia has cut diplomatic ties with neighboring Kenya.
The announcement was made by the Somali Minister of Information Osman Abukar Dubbe on state media.
Mr. Osman said, “The Somali government, based on its national sovereignty guaranteed by international law and order, and fulfilling its constitutional duty to safeguard the nationhood, unity and stability of the country, has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Kenyan government.”
The government has taken extra actions to recall all its diplomats from Nairobi and given Kenyan diplomats in Mogadishu seven days to leave the country.
This announcement comes after Somalia submitted a letter of protest against Kenya to Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who is also chair of the regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
It also comes as Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted the President of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not officially recognized by the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) or any country.
Somalia accused Kenya of meddling in its internal affairs.
