Somalia Summons Kenyan Ambassador Over Growing Key Official Deportations, Mudavadi Meets Somali FM
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has held talks with Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali in a bid to ease growing diplomatic tensions following reports that several Somali officials experienced difficulties entering Kenya.
The meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the African Union’s 49th Executive Council session.
The two leaders discussed immigration concerns and agreed to strengthen cooperation on consular affairs and the movement of people between the neighbouring countries.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, Kenya and Somalia committed to enhancing bilateral relations, facilitating easier travel for citizens and government officials, and preventing future incidents involving the denial of entry or deportation of travellers.
The talks came a day after reports emerged that Somalia’s State Minister at the Presidency, Abshir Bukhaari, had been denied entry into Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Bukhaari was then returned to Mogadishu over questions surrounding the Kenyan passport he was using.
However, neither the Kenyan nor the Somali government has officially confirmed the circumstances surrounding the reported incident, and no formal explanation has been issued by either side.
The meeting also followed complaints from several Somali officials and citizens who said they had experienced delays and difficulties obtaining visas and travel clearance to enter Kenya.
This raises concerns over cross-border movement between the two countries.
According to reports, Somalia’s federal government summoned Kenya’s ambassador on Monday following the reported denial of entry involving Bukhaari, signalling growing diplomatic concern over the incident.
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Following Tuesday’s meeting, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations on issues critical to regional stability while improving coordination on immigration and consular matters.
The developments come against the backdrop of continued cooperation between Kenya and Somalia on trade, regional security and infrastructure, despite occasional tensions over immigration, border security and political matters.
Additionally, last month, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Haji Abdirashid also dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had posed a security threat during a visit to Kenya.
Abdirashid described the allegations as false and reaffirming his commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries.
He also acknowledged Kenya’s longstanding support to Somalia through humanitarian assistance, refugee hosting and regional security cooperation, saying the relationship between the two nations remains critical to regional stability.
By agreeing to improve diplomatic coordination and facilitate easier movement across the border, Kenya and Somalia have signalled their intention to prevent recent travel disputes from escalating further while preserving cooperation on trade, security and regional integration.
Somalia Summons Kenyan Ambassador Over Growing Key Official Deportations, Mudavadi Meets Somali FM
