Somalia’s government has agreed to de-escalate tensions with Kenya during a conference held in Djibouti on Monday, reported Anadolu Agency.
Under pressure from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Somalia said it has decided to resolve its diplomatic tiff with Kenya during the 38th Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government.
The conference of the IGAD, which consists of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, with Eritrea being an inactive member, was aimed at solving regional problems, with a major focus on Ethiopia’s situation and the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
“IGAD heads put a lot of pressure on us to resolve the diplomatic tiff within the bloc. This is the first step to de-escalate tensions,” Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirizak said.
He said the government has accepted the request on the condition that a commission is formed to investigate its complaints.
“Somalia accepted but made it a condition that a commission be set up to look into our complaints, including arming militia inside Kenya.”
The diplomatic relations between the two countries have severed in recent weeks with Somalia blaming Kenya of interfering in its internal political affairs. Last year, Kenya accused Somalia of auctioning four offshore oil blocks in a disputed area.
On Saturday, the Somalian government accused Kenya of mobilizing troops and arming militia groups to attack its forces along the border area.
In a statement, Somalia said the government was closely following the Kenyan government’s ongoing military mobilization in the Mandera area of northern Kenya.
Last week, the Somalian government also ordered all its diplomats in Kenya to leave within seven days while also ordering Kenyan diplomats to quit within the same period.
The row between the two countries is affecting the war on the Somali-based al-Qaeda affiliated al-Shabaab militant group as Kenya has contributed over 3,500 troops to help secure the country.
