Somalia Reopens its Nairobi Embassy After 26 Years

Somalia has reopened its Embassy in Nairobi 26 years after it was closed.

The premises located along lower Kabete road in Nairobi was reopened on Sunday in a ceremony presided over by Foreign Affairs CAS Ababu Namwamba and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia Amb. Ahmed Isse Awad.

“Standing here, looking at this gleaming building, I don’t see just a fresh office block. I see a symbol of Somalia rising from ashes back to greatness, like the proverbial Phoenix,” CAS Namwamba said during the reopening of the embassy.

The Somali Government acquired the premises in 1972 and has never been used since 1994 when Somalia descended into turmoil.

CAS Namwamba assured of Kenya’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Somalia through trade and people to people interactions.

“Our common endeavor for durable peace, viable stability, and sustainable development for both our peoples and region continue to underpin the necessity for our mutual cooperation,” he added.

He further promised that Kenya will champion the issues of Somalia and those of the continent during her term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 2021/22.

Kenya will also continue to root for a peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous Somalia and the Horn of Africa region, added Namwamba.