Nairobi (SD) – The Kenyan government has responded briefly to the Somali federal government’s decision to expel the Kenyan ambassador from Mogadishu, and recall the Somali ambassador to Mogadishu.

Somalia’s decision comes as the federal government accuses Kenya of blatantly interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs and colluding with the Jubaland president to thwart the election agreement.

Kenya’s Permanent Secretary of State Macharia Kamau told the Daily Nation that Nairobi was “sorry” for Somalia’s decision to recall its ambassador, and promised that the two countries would discuss the issue diplomatically.

“We will respond to this through official channels, as soon as possible,” said Macharia Kamau.

Somalia’s decision comes as Kenyan government officials have recently indicated they want to talk to Somalia about trade, and facilitating public movements, as Somalia bans Kenyan Khat.

Permanent Secretary of the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nur announced the Somali decision saying “The Federal Government of Somalia sees Kenya’s deliberate interference in the internal affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, pressuring the Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe to implement its plan to intervene and disrupt the political agreement reached in Somalia.”