Nairobi -Kenya has blocked a move by Somaliland to open a diplomatic office in Nairobi, throwing a wrench into a high-profile visit by the region’s president and reigniting old tensions with Mogadishu.
Somaliland’s President, Abdirahman Abdullahi, arrived in Nairobi on Monday for what his office called a “strategic diplomatic visit.” But by Tuesday night, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had issued a firm statement: the event had not been approved and could not go ahead.
“To the extent the event of 27 May 2025 has not been granted approval from this Ministry,” the statement read, “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.”
The ministry reiterated that Kenya recognises the Federal Republic of Somalia as the only legitimate authority over Somali territory including the self-declared independent state of Somaliland.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya maintains and respectfully reaffirms its unwavering recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign State,” it said.
Diplomatic Tightrope
The rebuke is the latest chapter in a long-running diplomatic balancing act for Kenya. Nairobi maintains close ties with Somaliland largely for trade and security reasons but must tread carefully to avoid upsetting Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu.
“We appreciate our relations with Somaliland and other regional governments,” the ministry said. “But engagement must be done in consultation with the Federal Government of Somalia.”
Despite the firm tone, Kenya has left the door open for limited contact with Somaliland, as well as with other sub-national entities such as Jubaland. The goal, officials say, is to support cooperation in security, trade, and regional development but not to grant political legitimacy.
Tensions Rekindled
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, after the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime, and has since operated with its own government, currency, and military. But no country including Kenya has formally recognised its statehood.
Kenya’s interactions with Somaliland have repeatedly sparked outrage in Mogadishu. In the past, these diplomatic dust-ups have led to ambassador recalls, trade disruptions, and even airport stand-offs.
In December 2023, a similar row erupted when Kenya’s Senate Speaker met with a representative referred to as the “Somaliland Ambassador to Kenya.” The Foreign Ministry quickly intervened.
“Foreign policy is the sole preserve of the national government,” Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei warned at the time, clarifying that Somaliland’s Nairobi office was “commercial” and not diplomatic.
The message has remained consistent: Kenya will talk to Somaliland but only up to a point.
A Fragile Relationship
Diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia have been rocky for years. In 2019, three Somali officials were barred entry at Nairobi’s main airport for lacking proper visas a move that caused an uproar in Mogadishu and led to a breakdown in ties.
At the time, Kenya’s then-Foreign Affairs Minister Monica Juma defended the move: “We don’t have a policy to block travellers. But even diplomatic passport holders need visas.”
It took regional mediation led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to bring both sides back to the table. Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo eventually patched things up, but relations have remained tense ever since.
Regional Stakes
Kenya’s position reflects a broader African stance on Somaliland’s quest for recognition. The African Union supports a united Somalia, fearing that recognising breakaway regions could set off a chain reaction across the continent.
Still, Somaliland continues to lobby for recognition, with growing support from some Western lawmakers and African politicians who argue its stability and democratic governance deserve acknowledgment.
For now, though, Nairobi appears unwilling to risk another diplomatic crisis.
“We want strong regional ties,” a senior Kenyan diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told media. “But not at the expense of peace with Somalia.”
President Abdullahi has made no public comment since the event was halted. But sources close to his delegation say the setback will not stop Somaliland’s push for international legitimacy.
As Kenya walks a diplomatic tightrope, the Horn of Africa remains as politically fragile and geopolitically sensitive as ever.
