Update Monday, June 14, 2021: In a statement released today, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kenya has responded to Somalia's ultimatum. Kenya will proceed to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu as soon as possible.
The Government of Kenya also invited the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Kenya to return and resume his duties in Nairobi.
The Republic of Somalia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued Kenya with a fresh ultimatum.
In a statement on Sunday, June 13 2021, Somalia asked Kenya to resume its diplomatic mission in Mogadishu and it would reciprocate by re-opening its embassy in Nairobi.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya is yet to chart a way forward regarding the matter.
"In the spirit of good neighbourliness, the Federal Republic of Somalia calls the Republic of Kenya to re-open its diplomatic mission in Somalia and the Federal. Republic of Somalia will reciprocate and re-open its embassy in Kenya," read the statement.
This comes barely a month after the two nations restored their conflict which has attracted global calls for conciliatory talks.
"The Federal Government of Somalia announces that in keeping interests of good neighbourliness, it has resumed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kenya," Somalia announced in May.
In addition, both governments came to an understanding agreeing to maintain friendly relations between the two countries. They vowed to uphold mutual respect, non-interference, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.
However, on June 4, the Republic of Somalia accused the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) of deliberately attacking its civilians.
"KDF's attack is the most recent example of the Kenyan army operations resulting in the death and maiming of civilians, including women and children, that are increasingly becoming an unpleasant hallmark of the Kenyan Air Force’s standard operating procedure,” Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.
They threatened to present a case to the African Union, alleging Kenya violated The African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM) guidelines.
Kenya Defence Forces has over 3,400 troops serving under AMISOM in Somalia.
