Somalia Urges Kenya to Reopen Diplomatic Mission in Mogadishu

Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia has urged Kenya to reopen its embassy in the capital Mogadishu following the resumption of diplomatic relations between the countries.

It comes after Nairobi has announced it reopened its airspace for flights between the two neighboring countries after it ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat move over a ban imposed by Mogadishu on Kenyan Khat imports that still remains in place.

In a letter sent on Saturday addressed to Kenya’s foreign ministry, Somalia complimented Kenya for the restoration of diplomatic ties after months of frosty relations.

“In the spirit of good neighborliness, the Federal Republic of Somalia calls on the Republic of Kenya to reopen its diplomatic mission in Somalia, and the Federal Government of Somalia will reciprocally reopen its embassy in Kenya,” Somali foreign ministry said in a letter.

“The resumption of full diplomatic relations will be a positive start to the commencement of bilateral discussions between the two nations.”

Diplomatic row between the two countries has been dragging on for more than a year despite efforts by Qatar and Ethiopia to dial down tensions.

Somalia has recently expressed anger over Kenyan air strike that killed civilians near the town of El-Adde in Gedo region and accused Kenya of carrying out indiscriminate air raids in the Horn of Africa country to “kill and main civilians”.

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