Sunday December 13, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Somaliland President Muse Bihi arrived in Nairobi Sunday close to a month after Kenya and Somalia yet again broke diplomatic ranks in an ongoing row.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Nairobi confirmed the arrival of Bihi who was received by cabinet ministers.
The Ministry said Bihi who is the second Somaliland president to visit Kenya in more than a decade, will hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“President of Somaliland, Musa Bihi Abdi arrived in the Country this afternoon. He was received by CS Munya and CAS Hon Ababu Namwamba. H.E Musa Abdi will hold talks Monday with H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on mutual interests,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Noting that Kenya does not maintain diplomatic presence in Somaliland, the Ministry said Kenya ‘takes cognizance of the political & economic stability of the region and is keen to enhance and broaden trade in goods and services, as well as, investment as the cornerstone for long-term development cooperation with the region.’
The arrival of Bihi in Kenya comes hot on the heels of deteriorating relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu.
Somalia expelled Kenya’s ambassador Lucas Tumbo late last month and recalled ambassador Mohamed Tarzan over what it termed as ‘interference in its internal affairs’.
Mogadishu subsequently claimed Nairobi was hosting opposition leaders bent on destabilising the country.
That Kenya is hosting a Somaliland president for the first time since 2006 when then President Dahir Kahin visited speaks of Nairobi’s keen interest in forging relations with the break-away region.