Somalia government on Thursday announced it is restoring diplomatic relations with Kenya after mediation by Qatar, reported Reuters.
“The Federal Government of Somalia announces that in keeping with the interests of good neighborliness, it has resumed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kenya,” the Ministry of Information said in a statement on Thursday.
Somalia had ended relations with Kenya in December last year, accusing Nairobi of interfering in its internal affairs, a charge the latter denies. Kenya had hosted the leadership of Somaliland, a breakaway state not recognized by the central government in Mogadishu. In November, Somalia had expelled Kenya’s ambassador and recalled its own from Nairobi.
The relations between the two countries have also been tense over the ownership of potential oil and gas deposits, some of which are present off the coast of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state Jubbaland. The dispute is before the International Court of Justice.
“The two governments agree to keep friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence,” the statement read.
The statement said that the Presidents of both the countries are grateful and thankful to the Emir of State of Qatar for playing a major role in mediating between the two nations. It added the two sides would hold further talks in the near future on issues including trade and the movement of people.
Taking note of the statement, Nairobi said it was looking forward to further normalization of relations by the Somali authorities.
On Thursday, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta met with Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani, Qatar’s envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution.
The announcement comes just days after Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed announced he will not attempt to extend his term by two years, bowing to domestic and international pressure.
