The Kenya Times- The breakaway Horn of Africa region of Somaliland has held an inauguration event of the region’s liaison office in Nairobi, days after Kenya’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal diplomatic note halting the planned inauguration of the new office.

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

In an official notice dated Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed that the event be abandoned as it had not received the necessary approval.

However, President Abdirahman on Thursday officially inaugurated the new Somaliland Embassy in Kenya.

In videos seen by The Kenya Times, dignitaries, including Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii were seen arriving at the Somaliland mission in Nairobi for its inauguration, where they were welcomed by Somaliland Representative to Kenya & Head of Mission Mohamed Barawani.

This comes after Kenya blocked Somaliland’s attempt to elevate its representation in Nairobi to diplomatic status, disrupting a planned Tuesday office launch.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, in a diplomatic note circulated on Tuesday night, confirmed that it had not authorised the event, despite President Abdullahi’s arrival for what his office described as a “strategic diplomatic visit.”

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The ministry in the letter addressed to the Somaliland Liaison Office in Nairobi further reaffirmed Kenya’s recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia as the sole legitimate authority over Somali territories, including the semi-autonomous regions of Somaliland and Jubaland.

“To the extent the event of 27 May 2025 has not been granted approval from this Ministry, 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,” read part of the statement.

“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs wishes to reiterate that the Government of the Republic of Kenya maintains and respectfully reaffirms its unwavering recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign State.” 

Read more: New Twist as Somaliland Launches Nairobi Mission Despite Kenya’s Denial

Source: The Kenya Times