President William Ruto met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Irro, just hours after Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the opening of the Somaliland Mission in Nairobi.
According to an official statement by the Office of the Presidency in Somaliland, the two presidents met on Thursday, May 28, and had a productive meeting at State House, Nairobi.
"His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, had a productive meeting with His Excellency President William Ruto," the statement read.
According to the statement, the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions on bilateral cooperation, peace and regional stability, and education and institutional development. The leaders discussed how the two nations could promote trade, investment, economic development, and enhanced air connectivity.
Issues around a shared commitment to countering violent extremism, fostering regional security, and supporting peacebuilding efforts in the Horn of Africa were also at the centre of the discussions, according to the statement.
The two leaders also explored opportunities for the youth in both countries, focusing on academic exchange, capacity-building of public institutions, and expanding vocational training.
"The meeting reaffirmed the strong and longstanding relationship between Somaliland and Kenya — a partnership anchored in mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for peace, stability, and prosperity across the region," the statement by Somaliland President's spokesperson Hussein Aden Igeh (Deyr) said.
Somaliland officially opened its mission's office in Nairobi on May 29, despite Kenya’s earlier statement reaffirming its recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had declared that the event was not approved and that Somaliland’s diplomatic status in Kenya lacked official endorsement.
Kenya is balancing its diplomatic obligations to Somalia while maintaining beneficial relations with Somaliland, a move that could cause tension between the three countries.
Lately, Kenya has been involved in diplomatic rifts with its neighbouring countries, including Tanzania.
Tensions escalated after Tanzania detained and deported Kenyan activists and politicians, including Martha Karua and Boniface Mwangi, who had travelled to Dar es Salaam to observe the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
This led to an online rift between the two countries, prompting President Ruto to apologize to Tanzania to ease the tensions.
