Somalia rekindles hostile neighbour attitude, expels Kenyan Ambassador over alleged interference in upcoming elections
Somalia has once again rekindled its hostile neighbour attitude by expelling Kenyan Ambassador General Lucas Tumbo over alleged interference in her internal affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affair principal secretary Ambassador Kamau Macharia said that Nairobi was evaluating Mogadishu’s decision and would respond through appropriate channels and in good time.
“This unexpected and unwarranted behaviour of Somalia leadership is something that requires some digesting before we can speak to it. We will respond officially through the appropriate channels soon,” the ministry said.
Its envoy to Kenya Ahmed Nuur Tarzan has also been summoned ‘for consultations’.
“The Federal Government of Somalia notes the Kenyan Government’s attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty, territorial integrity. political independence and unity of Somalia and hereby express its deepest regret with the Kenyan Government’s continuous interferences in the internal and political affairs of Somalia,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the Kenyan Government is placing immense political pressure on the regional President of JubalandAxmed Maxamed Islaa
Kenya is being accused of pushing the Jubaland leader to renege on the election agreement that was reached on September 17, 2020 in Mogadishu.
On Sunday, the Somali Government insisted that it strongly upholds the principles of interdependence and maintaining friendly relations with its neighbouring countries.
“However, the Federal Government of Somalia believes that the Kenyan Government actions are not in line with the internationally recognized diplomatic relations enjoyed by sovereign States,” the statement adds.
Mogadishu has in the past claimed observers and other nations were using federal states to gain control in the election process.
It has accused Kenya of infringing on its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
In 2014, Somalia sued Kenya at the ICJ, seeking to redraw the sea boundary between the two countries from the current straight line to a diagonal flow.
Nonetheless, Kenya’s military was asked to leave Somalia due to the ”long overstay” within the boarder during the 2011 peacebuilding intervention.
However, Kenya has been working on peacebuilding in the region often seeking to mend and normalise its relationship with Somalia.
Kenya also hosts many Somali refugees who escaped the horn of Africa Nation due to persistent conflict.
By Joy Kyalo
