MOGADISHU (SD) – Somalia has called on Kenyan government to reopen its embassy in the country following rebuilding of ties. Somalia said it would also reopen its embassy in Kenya.

In a statement, Somalia’s Foreign Affairs ministry said that it will reciprocally reopen its embassy in Nairobi.

“In the spirit of good neighbourliness, the Federal Republic of Somalia calls on the Republic of Kenya to re-open its diplomatic mission in Somalia, and the Federal Government of Somalia will reciprocally re-open its embassy in Kenya,” said Abdirizak Mohamed, Somalia’s minister for Foreign Affairs

On Thursday, Kenya said through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the change of heart was necessitated by mutual interests of the two countries, in the hope that full normalisation of bilateral relations will occur.

“The Government of Kenya has taken due consideration of intercessions made and has decided to re-open Kenya’s airspace to all flights originating from Somalia and emanating from Kenya to Somalia,” the statement said.

Kenya had suspended flights originating from Somalia for almost a month as relations between the two countries became frostier.

The two countries had been at loggerheads since December 15 last year when Mogadishu abruptly cut ties, blaming Kenya for what it called “constant interference” in Somalia’s internal Affairs.

Kenya rejected the claims, but a team formed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) to investigate claims returned a ‘no guilty’ verdict, which Somalia rejected.