Kenya has accepted Somalia’s invitation to restore full diplomatic relations, marking the thawing of often tense relations.

Kenya said it would respond to Somalia’s invitation to resume diplomatic relations and reopen its embassy in Mogadishu, which marked the thawing of the often tense relations between neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa.

On December 15th, after Kenya received the leadership of Somaliland, the relationship between the two countries was severed. Somaliland is a separated country not recognized by the central government of Mogadishu.

On June 12, Abdirizak Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, proposing to restore comprehensive diplomatic relations “in the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship.”

On Monday, June 14, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in response, saying that “it welcomes and acknowledges the invitation of the Federal Government of Somalia to resume diplomatic relations” and will reopen its embassy in Mogadishu “as soon as possible”.

It also said that the Somali ambassador to Kenya was also invited to resume duties in Nairobi.

Easing of stagnation

Last month, Somalia expressed its intention to restore relations with Kenya, but after a few days in Kenya, after banning flights between the two capitals without explanation, it eased into a deadlock. The flight has since resumed.

Somalia has long been angry at Kenya’s interference in areas outside its borders, while Nairobi accused Mogadishu of using it as a scapegoat for its political problems.

Neighboring countries also have long-standing territorial disputes over a section of the Indian Ocean that the two countries claim to have potentially rich resources.

In early 2019, after Somalia decided to unilaterally auction oil and gas blocks, Kenya recalled its ambassador, and the dispute reached its lowest point.