Somaliland Pressures Kenya to Recognise Its Sovereignty in Bold Diplomatic Push
Somaliland has called on Kenya to formally acknowledge its sovereignty, just days after Kenya made international headlines by recognizing Kosovo as an independent state.
In a statement released on Friday, March 28, 2025, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged President William Ruto’s administration to take a historic step by granting Somaliland diplomatic recognition. The ministry argued that such a move would reinforce Kenya’s position as a leader in regional diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
Somaliland’s Appeal to Kenya
According to the statement, recognizing Somaliland as an independent state would contribute to long-term stability and peace in the Horn of Africa.
“In this spirit, the Republic of Somaliland encourages the Government of Kenya to adopt a similarly principled and historic decision by formally recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty. Such a step would not only reaffirm Kenya’s leadership in regional diplomacy and multilateral engagement but also strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to lasting peace, stability, and cooperation across the Horn of Africa,” read part of the statement from Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Applauds Kenya’s Recognition of Kosovo
While advocating for its own recognition, Somaliland also praised Kenya for its recent decision to acknowledge Kosovo as an independent nation. The move, which was opposed by Serbia, has been viewed as a significant diplomatic shift by Kenya.
Somaliland’s statement highlighted Kenya’s commitment to international law, self-determination, and global stability.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland conveys its sincere congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Kosovo on the occasion of Kenya’s official recognition of Kosovo’s independence. This bold and forward-looking decision by the Republic of Kenya is a testament to its unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, the right to self-determination, and the promotion of international peace and stability,” the statement read.
Drawing parallels between Kosovo and its own situation, Somaliland pointed out that it has maintained a stable government and democratic governance for over three decades. The statement also referenced a legal precedent set by the International Court of Justice regarding Kosovo’s declaration of independence, arguing that the same principles should apply to Somaliland’s pursuit of recognition.
Somaliland’s Struggle for Recognition
Somaliland has been a self-governing region of Somalia since declaring independence in 1991. However, its claim to statehood remains unrecognized by Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu and the broader international community. Despite this, Somaliland has held multiple elections since 2003 and has remained relatively stable compared to Somalia, which continues to struggle with terror-related violence.
Over the years, Somaliland has sought international recognition, with various global powers such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the European Union sending delegations to observe its governance and electoral processes. However, formal recognition remains elusive.
At the time of this publication, the Kenyan government had yet to issue an official response to Somaliland’s request.
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Somaliland Pressures Kenya to Recognise Its Sovereignty in Bold Diplomatic Push
