Diplomatic tension looms between Kenya and Somalia after latest move by Jubaland
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Jubaland appoints envoy to Kenya a move that will likely cause diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Mogadishu
Jubaland appoints envoy to Kenya a move that will likely cause diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Mogadishu (Somalia).
The decision by Jubaland State of Somalia President Ahmed Mohamed Islam to appoint an envoy to Kenya has caused controversy as the Federal Government of Somalia already has an ambassador in Kenya.
On Friday, the President named Sadik Abdullahi Bogale as his representative to Kenya, reiterating that his main responsibility will be to serve Jubaland interests in that country.
He added that Article 72 of the State Constitution, which provides him the authority to select political officials and to transfer diplomats to other posts, served as the foundation for his choice.
“The President of the Government of Jubaland has appointed Mr. Sadik Abdullahi Bogale as the envoy of the Government of Jubaland to Kenya. This appointment will come into effect when the President signs it, and he signed it,” a decree from the President read.
The move is controversial given that the Federal Government of Somalia already has an ambassador stationed in Nairobi.
Additionally, the position of a foreign representative at the state level is not specified under the nation’s provisional constitution.
The constitution exclusively gives foreign relations powers to the Federal Government of Somalia.
The Federal Government of Somalia is yet to comment on Bogale’s appointment as envoy to Kenya.
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Further, Bogale’s appointment will bring the total number of missions in Kenya from the Horn of Africa to 3.
Somaliland which has declared its independence from Somalia operates a political mission in Kenya.
The Jubaland State of Somalia was formed in 2013 and Kenya has maintained cordial relations with the State as it has helped in the fight against the religious extremist group Al-Shabaab.
Kenya’s relations with the Federal Government of Somalia have been marred by diplomatic controversies in what Somalia calls overt and blatant interference in internal affairs with respect to Jubaland.
In December 2020, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Nairobi and expelled the Kenyan ambassador as tensions between the two countries escalated.
At the time, Somalia accused Kenya of piling pressure on the Jubaland President to advance its own political and economic interests in Somalia.
In May 2021, Somalia announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Kenya after mediation by Qatar.
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