President William Ruto has once again stirred diplomatic waters, this time meeting Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Irro, just hours after Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly distanced itself from the official opening of the Somaliland Mission in Nairobi.
The controversial meeting, held at State House Nairobi on May 29, has raised eyebrows across the Horn of Africa and beyond, as Kenya’s relations with Somalia and Sudan remain fragile.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic not internationally recognized as independent from Somalia, has long been a sensitive issue in East African diplomacy.
In a statement released by the Somaliland presidency, the meeting was described as “productive,” covering regional stability, bilateral cooperation, trade, and counterterrorism. The leaders also discussed education, youth opportunities, and institutional development.
However, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry contradicted this position, stating it had not sanctioned the opening of a Somaliland diplomatic mission. The Ministry reiterated Kenya’s recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity—clearly distancing Nairobi from the symbolism of such a meeting.
Abdirahman Mohamed, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, had a productive meeting with President William Ruto, May 29, 2025.
Photo
Presidency, Republic of Somaliland
The timing of the meeting has amplified concerns, especially as diplomatic relations between Kenya and Sudan continue to deteriorate. Sudanese officials have expressed discomfort with Kenya’s regional posture, and this new engagement with Somaliland is likely to be viewed as undermining continental diplomatic consensus.
Kenya now finds itself walking a tightrope, balancing economic cooperation with Somaliland while maintaining diplomatic fidelity to Somalia and avoiding deeper conflict with Sudan. Observers say Ruto’s meeting risks being interpreted as implicit endorsement of Somaliland’s sovereignty, a red line for Mogadishu.
This is not the first time Ruto’s foreign policy actions have drawn criticism. Just weeks ago, the President was forced to apologize to Tanzania after tensions flared when prominent Kenyan activists were deported from Dar es Salaam.
With growing scrutiny on Kenya’s regional diplomacy, Ruto’s engagement with Somaliland could complicate already fragile relations—and ignite new friction in an already volatile Horn of Africa.