Nairobi, Kenya – Somaliland officials said President Abdirahman Mohamed Irro submitted a formal letter to Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday, requesting recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
According to Somaliland sources, the letter emphasized Somaliland’s longstanding case for self-determination and peaceful engagement with international partners.
However, just hours after the meeting, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reissued a statement reaffirming its “unwavering” recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a sovereign state, in line with international norms and African Union policy.
“Kenya reiterates its respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement read.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic in northern Somalia, has been seeking international recognition since it unilaterally broke away from Somalia in 1991. Despite maintaining its own government, military, and currency, it remains unrecognized globally.
The diplomatic gesture and Kenya’s swift response highlight the continued sensitivity surrounding Somalia’s territorial integrity and the broader implications for regional stability.