Hargeisa (SD) – The Ethiopian government spoke briefly about the visit of the President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi to Kenya as well as the diplomatic understanding between Hargeisa and Nairobi.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry’s weekly report on the Horn of Africa region, spoke briefly about the relationship between Somaliland and Kenya yesterday.

The report specifically cites a statement from the Kenyan and Somaliland presidents’ statement that Kenya should open a consulate in Hargeisa, According to the report, the move is the cause of tensions between Kenya and Somalia have escalated.

“Kenya will open a consulate in the breakaway region of Somaliland that’s lobbying for international recognition, escalating tensions with the government of neighboring Somalia. The office will open in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa by end of March, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somaliland counterpart Muse Bihi Abdi said in a joint statement on Tuesday (December 8). The breakaway region will upgrade its liaison office in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, at the same time.” Said the report.

Somalia severed its diplomatic relationship with Kenya due to what it calls a political interference.

Somalia wrote a complaint letter against Kenya to IGAD, is the subject of a high-level regional meeting in Djibouti this Sunday.