Envoy Storms Out of Uhuru's Meeting - Somali Media

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during the inauguration of Somalia's president on June 9, 2022.
Former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, speaking during the inauguration of Somalia's president on June 9, 2022.
PSCU

An envoy representing the Republic of Somalia in Kenya on Tuesday, June 14, stormed out of a meeting convened by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House Nairobi.

Somali media outlets reported that Mohamud Ahmed Nur Tarsan was unhappy when the Kenyan Head of State invited officials from Somaliland.

Somaliland is an autonomous regional government that Kenya recognizes but which Somalia has refused to recognize for three decades. 

According to Radio Dalsan, a media outlet located in Somalia, Kenya had invited the officials in the capacity of ambassadors and "placed the two flags – Somalia and Somaliland together in the venue."

Somalia Envoy to Kenya Mohamed Nur Tarsan
Somalia Envoy to Kenya Mohamed Nur Tarsan.
Garowe Online

Tarsan reportedly informed Villa Somalia - the equivalent of State House in Kenya - and was given the go-ahead to walk out of the event.

It is reported that President Kenyatta was prepared to offer a pre-election speech to the diplomats in preparation for the upcoming August 9 elections.

Kenyans.co.ke contacted State House spokesperson Kanze Dena who declined to comment on the reports.

This comes just days after Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met in Mogadishu during the latter's inauguration ceremony.

During the trip, Uhuru promised to work towards reopening the borders between the two countries as well as increasing flights to Mogadishu.

The Head of State noted that the move would improve trade between the two countries and boost the country's economy.

Mohamud, on the other hand, promised to boost relations between Somalia and her neighbours including Kenya in his first speech since taking the mantle from Farmajo.

State House Meeting

At State House, President Kenyatta received the African Gender Award 2022 for championing gender equality and development in the country.

The award serves as a mechanism to monitor and reward an African Head of State or Government who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in promoting gender equality.

At the event, the Head of State also addressed members of the diplomatic corps who attended the ceremony as well as Kenyan Ambassadors and High Commissioners affirming Kenya’s commitment to being a friendly country to all by seeking only to develop bonds of friendship and collaboration with all partners.

President Uhuru Kenyatta arriving in Somalia on June 9, 2022.
President Uhuru Kenyatta arriving in Somalia on June 9, 2022.
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Harun Maruf