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Somalia envoy ends his term in Kenya amid turbulent relations

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the outgoing Somalia Ambassador Mahamoud Ahmed

By Anas Mohamed | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Ambassador Mahamoud Ahmed Nur, popularly known as "Tarzan," of the Federal Republic of Somalia, has completed his diplomatic term in Kenya.

Principal Secretary, Dr Korir Sing’oei, bid farewell to the outgoing Ambassador describing him as a “valuable and a true friend of Kenya”. He praised the ambassador for strengthening ties between Kenya and Somalia, and thanked him for his efforts in promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

Ambassador Tarzan, in turn, said it was an honour to serve in Kenya, and expressed his optimism for the future of friendly relations between the two countries.

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Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, who is also newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, granted an audience to the departing Somali ambassador.

The Ambassador's tenure in Kenya was marked by a series of diplomatic wrangles between the two nations, including disputes over a maritime boundary, Kenya's relations with the separatist Somaliland region, and the Somali government's ban on Kenyan khat (Miraa) exports.

In December 2019, Kenya unexpectedly recalled its ambassador to Somalia, Lucas Tembo, and expelled Ambassador Tarzan from the country. In February 2021, Somalia reciprocated by recalling its Ambassador from Kenya and asked the Kenyan ambassador to leave Somalia.

However, Ambassador Tarzan survived these challenges and resumed his duties in Nairobi, concluding his mission in Kenya on a positive note.

Notably, in October 2021, the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague settled the maritime boundary dispute by rejecting Kenya's claim and largely ruling in favour of Somalia.