Kenya angers Somalia over Somaliland overtures

Somalia's government on Tuesday announced it had severed ties with strategic neighbor Kenya.

The news came as the leader of the breakaway territory of Somaliland ended a three-day visit to Kenya where he was given treatment similar to that accorded to a head of state in meetings with the Kenyan leadership.

The decision came after Kenya's decision to open a Consulate in Hargeisa, Somaliland by the end of March 2021.

The move received mixed reactions from Somalia residents living in Kenya, with most arguing that Somalia should remain as one united country.

Somalia responded by recalling its diplomats in Kenya and giving Kenyan diplomats seven days to leave Somalia.

Somaliland has been trying to gain international independence from Somalia but the latter has refused to consent to maintain that the former falls within its territorial boundaries.

(IMAGE CREDITS:Twitter/@M_Farmaajo)