Saturday May 31, 2025
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
Nairobi (HOL) — Kenyan President William Ruto met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro in Nairobi on Thursday, May 28, in a high-level meeting that has stirred fresh diplomatic conversations in the Horn of Africa.
According to a statement from the Office of the Somaliland Presidency, the two leaders held comprehensive talks on a range of bilateral and regional issues, including peace and stability, education, institutional development, and economic cooperation.
The leaders reportedly emphasized mutual interests in enhancing trade, investment, and air connectivity while also discussing counterterrorism, youth empowerment, and vocational training. Academic exchanges and capacity-building programs for public institutions were also highlighted.
"The meeting reaffirmed the strong and longstanding relationship between Somaliland and Kenya — a partnership anchored in mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for peace, stability, and prosperity across the region," the statement by Somaliland President's spokesperson Hussein Aden Igeh (Deyr) said.
The diplomatic encounter came just a day before Somaliland officially opened its mission office in Nairobi on May 29 — a move that has prompted concern in Mogadishu. Despite the ceremony, Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its recognition of Somalia's sovereignty, stating the event was not officially sanctioned and that Somaliland's diplomatic status remains unrecognized.
Kenya now finds itself navigating a delicate diplomatic balancing act, seeking to preserve strategic ties with Somaliland while maintaining its formal commitments to Somalia's territorial integrity.