Somalia accuses Kenya of violating sovereignty

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalia on Tuesday accused Kenya of violating its sovereignty after its southwestern neighbor invited a representative of the breakaway Somaliland region for a diplomatic briefing in the capital Nairobi.

Somalia's ambassador to Kenya, Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, protested the presence of the Somaliland flag and representative at the event, which he subsequently walked out of, at the Kenyan State House.

In a statement, Mogadishu accused the Kenyan Foreign Ministry of intentionally violating Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It also demanded a full explanation of the "unfortunate" move.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kenya had struck a conciliatory tone, admitting regret for the "inadvertent and inappropriate presence of the flag of Somaliland at the annual diplomatic function."

Relations between the two East African nations have been lukewarm, especially for the last four years when fighting broke out between Somali forces and Somliland rebels, which Mogadishu says are supported by Nairobi.