Somalia defends its relationship with Djibouti
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali federal government has cleared doubts that her relationship with Djibouti may have been severed, following a series of incidents involving Mogadishu and Djibouti, in particular Kenya’s strained relationship with the Horn of Africa.
In February, a Djibouti committee sent by IGAD freed Kenya from alleged interference in Somalia’s domestic affairs, in what is perceived as the emergence of the cold relationship between Mogadishu and Djibouti, who were once flower lovers.
Djibouti confirmed Kenya from alleged involvement in Gedo and further defended Kenya Armed Forces [KDF] accused of failing to protect civilians in parts of the Gedo region of Somalia within the state of Jubaland, which has close ties with Nairobi.
Foreign Minister Abdirizak Mohamed said Somalia still maintained good relations with Djibouti but said it had registered its protests over the February report. The protest, he noted, was “completely normal” and in accordance with international law.
“For Djibouti, we are two fraternal countries and we are all Somalis, so there is nothing wrong with our diplomatic relations,” said Mohamed. “Somalia attended the inauguration of President Ismail Omar Guelleh.”
Last month, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble attended the inauguration of Omar Ismail Guelleh in Djibouti, a function run by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. However, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya attended and is said to have invited Roble to Kenya.
In February, Somalia had accused Djibouti of collaborating with Kenya by writing the IGAD report that cleared Kenya of all faults. In addition to the Gedo crisis, Somalia and Kenya are involved in the crossing of the Indian Ocean.
Djibouti President Omar Guelleh, the current chairman of IGAD, appointed the team that carried out the investigation and then made the report. The report was endorsed by the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM] responsible for security in Somalia.
Sources suggested to Axadlethat Roble may have reduced plans to visit Kenya due to a strained relationship and could have acted in accordance with orders from Villa Somalia. Kenya recently suspended flights to Somalia and allowed only humanitarian and medivac flights, as under intensive scrutiny.
AXADLETM
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