Kenya cancels launch of Somaliland liaison office in Nairobi, reaffirms Somalia ties

In a move highlighting its careful diplomatic footwork, Kenya's Foreign Ministry on Monday evening issued a formal diplomatic note halting the planned inauguration of a new Somaliland liaison office in Nairobi.

The event, scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, had been expected to coincide with the visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, who arrived earlier in Nairobi to a low-key welcome led by Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho.

The Ministry's communication to the Somaliland Liaison Office was unequivocal: "The Government of the Republic of Kenya maintains and respectfully reaffirms its unwavering recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign State."

The statement stressed that the opening had not been granted ministerial approval, and as such, "its investiture of the status of a Diplomatic Office does not enjoy the imprimatur of the Republic of Kenya and cannot be allowed to proceed."

This comes amid heightened sensitivities between Nairobi and Mogadishu over Kenya's evolving relationship with Somaliland—a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks international recognition.

While the statement reaffirmed support for Somalia's sovereignty, it also nodded at Kenya's continued engagement with Somaliland and other subnational entities in the region, provided such relations "enhance peace, security, trade and investment."

By halting the event while receiving the Somaliland President under the radar, Nairobi appears to be threading a diplomatic needle—balancing its regional interests without triggering diplomatic fallout from Mogadishu.

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