By John Ikani
Kenya has written to Somalia to express “regret” at the “inadvertent and inappropriate presence” of the flag of the breakaway state of Somaliland at an event hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohamud Ahmed Nur, is reported to have walked out of Tuesday’s annual diplomats conference in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
In its letter, Kenya’s foreign ministry said it reaffirmed “its recognition of the sovereignty of one Federal Somali Government and the integrity of the Federal Somali State”.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 although it has not been recognised internationally. It functions like a nation state – with its own passport, currency, flag, government and army.
In a response on Twitter, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “it was disappointed about the actions taken by the ambassador of Somalia” at the event.
“The Republic of Somaliland is a sovereign, independent and democratic country that aspires to line in peace and tranquillity with our neighbouring countries, that includes Somalia,” the statement said.
