Jubaland’s Envoy to Kenya Sparks Diplomatic Tensions
President Ahmed Mohamed Islam of the Jubaland State of Somalia’s decision to assign an envoy to Kenya has sparked controversy, as the Federal Government of Somalia already has an ambassador in Kenya.
On Friday, the President designated Sadik Abdullahi Bogale as envoy to Kenya, confirming that the diplomat’s primary responsibility will be to promote Jubaland’s interests in Kenya.
He added that his decision was based on Article 72 of the State Constitution, which grants him the authority to make political appointments, including the posting of diplomats to new posts.
“The President of the Government of Jubaland has appointed Mr. Sadik Abdullahi Bogale as the envoy of the Government of Jubaland to Kenya. This appointment will come into effect when the President signs it, and he signed it,” a decree from the President read.
Since the Federal Government of Somalia already has an ambassador in Nairobi, the decision is controversial.
In addition, there is no provision for a foreign representative at the state level in the country’s provisional constitution.
The constitution grants the Federal Government of Somalia sole authority over foreign affairs.
The Somalia Federal Government has not yet commented on Bogale’s appointment as ambassador to Kenya.
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Additionally, Bogale’s appointment will increase the total number of Horn of Africa missions in Kenya to three.
Somaliland, which has proclaimed independence from Somalia, maintains a diplomatic presence in Kenya.
Kenya has maintained cordial relations with the Jubaland State of Somalia due to its assistance in the battle against the religious extremist organization Al-Shabaab.
Kenya’s relations with the Federal Government of Somalia have been marred by diplomatic controversies over what Somalia considers to be overt and flagrant interference in Jubaland’s internal affairs.
As tensions between the two countries intensified in December 2020, Somalia recalled its ambassador from Nairobi and expelled the Kenyan ambassador.
Somalia accused Kenya at the time of exerting pressure on the President of Jubaland to advance its own political and economic interests in Somalia.
After mediation by Qatar, Somalia proclaimed the restoration of diplomatic relations with Kenya in May 2021.
Jubaland’s Envoy to Kenya Sparks Diplomatic Tensions