Kenya has deployed four officers to its liaison office in the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, once again inflaming tensions with Somalia. The four officers are: Head of the Liaison Office Benson Mwaliko, Second Counsellor Charles Wachira, and Administrative Attachés Grace Musau and Ronald Nyakweba
The deployment of the four officers was first set in motion back in July 2020, when a Kenyan delegation met Somaliland President Muse Bihi and discussed establishing bilateral trade and the establishment of a diplomatic office. It is estimated that 10,000 Kenyans work and live in Somaliland. Then, in December 2020, when Bihi visited Nairobi to visit Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, a deal was reached for direct flights by Kenya Airways to Hargeisa.
Following the meeting between Bihi and Kenyatta, Somalia expelled Kenya’s ambassador and recalled its own ambassador from Kenya, and subsequently suspended all diplomatic ties, alleging interference in its domestic affairs.
Somalia has also accused Kenya of interfering in the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland, alleging that it has pressured the leader of the state, Ahmed Mohamed Islan Madobe, to reject an agreement that was reached between federal states and the federal government in September 2020. Somalia further alleges that Kenya is training Jubaland rebels to attack Somali troops.
At the same time, Kenya and Somalia are also embroiled in a maritime dispute that is being heard in the International Court of Justice over oil and gas resources which are located off the coast of the state of Jubaland, which is home to the crucial Somali port of Kismayo.
Furthermore, in March, Kenya ordered the United Nations to close both of its refugee camps in the country within 14 days, arguing that the camps have become a safe haven for militants from the Somali terror group al-Shabab. One of the camps, the Dadaab camp, houses 210,556 refugees, of whom 202,381 are from Somalia.
Despite these multiple disputes, in May, the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic ties following Qatar-mediated talks. However, this agreement was shelved just days after, with Kenya suspending flights to and from Somalia. Although the flights have since resumed, tensions remain high.
In August, following a meeting between Kenyatta and Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, the two sides agreed to “reset” relations. Kenya’s latest move to deploy diplomatic officers to Somaliland, however, is sure to once again derail any efforts at reconciliation.
Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991, but is not recognised as an independent country by the international community or indeed by Somalia, which insists that no country should maintain bilateral ties with Hargeisa without its explicit approval.
At this stage, only Taiwan has recognised Somaliland, and the African Union has said that Somalia must offer its recognition before others do so. In 2005, the regional body sent a fact-finding mission to Somaliland to evaluate its application for recognition and membership, but to no avail.
Kenya Appoints Envoy to Somaliland, Further Inflaming Tensions With Somalia
After resetting ties in August, this latest move by Kenya is sure to once again derail bilateral relations with Somalia, which continues to view Somaliland as its own territory.
September 8, 2021
IMAGE SOURCE: PSCUSomali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo (L) and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta