Kenya grants Somaliland elevated diplomatic status

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NAIROBI: Somaliland and Kenya have announced a raft measures aimed at bolstering diplomatic relations some of which are likely to head into a storm with Somalia which maintains the break-away region is part of its territory.

A joint communique from the meeting between Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Muse Bihi Tuesday explored areas of engagement ranging from diplomacy, trade, security and travel between Nairobi and Hargeisa.

On the diplomatic front, Kenya will open a consulate in Hargeisa on March 2021 while Somaliland will equally upgrade its Liaison Office in Nairobi within the same timeframe. The move gives Somaliland an elevated diplomatic status in its quest for statehood. The break-away region has been seeking international recognition since it broke away from Somalia in 1991.

The two leaders also agreed for the start of direct flights by national carrier Kenya Airways from Nairobi to Hargeisawhile by March next year.

“Senior officials on a pre-determined list and travelling to Kenya on Somaliland travel documents to apply for e-visa and receive visa on arrival by end of March 2021,” the communique read in part.

Other areas of enhanced cooperation include sectors such as agriculture, livestock development, education energy and transport.

However, Mogadishu, which has been watching the talks closely is likely to put the breaks on some of the agreements. Chiefly is the direct flights from Nairobi to Hargeisa. The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority(SCAA() which now has control of the airspace will likely not grant KQ rights to fly over its airspace without clearance from Mogadishu and further petition the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) over the matter.

The announcements come hot on the heels of faltering relations between Somalia and Kenya which culminated Monday in the cut of diplomatic ties by Mogadishu.