Kenya has held a meeting with the government of Somalia on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to deepen bilateral engagement between the two countries.

In a statement on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi announced that he had convened a meeting with his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Dhaay, in China.

He stated that the two countries agreed to fast-track Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meetings to finalise the signing of agreements to enhance collaboration across various sectors.

“While attending the FOCAC Ministers’ Summit, I held bilateral discussions with H.E. Abdisalam Dhaay, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “We agreed to expedite the convening of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meetings to finalise key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening collaboration across various sectors,” he stated.

Speaking during the meeting, Dhaay lauded the Kenyan government for its support in advancing peace and stability by deploying security personnel to Somalia.

“H.E. Ali expressed Somalia’s deep appreciation for Kenya’s steadfast support over the past 25 years, particularly in advancing peace and stability through the deployment of security personnel under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS),” read the statement in part.

Those present during the meeting include Kenya’s Ambassador to China, Ambassador Willy Bett; Somalia’s Ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi; Ambassador Jane Major, Director of Asian Affairs at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and her Somali counterpart, Said Jama Mire, Director-General of Asian Affairs at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somaliland’s Mission office

This comes after the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), opened the country’s mission office in Nairobi on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

The office was opened barely two days after the Kenyan government halted the planned opening of the Somaliland Liaison Office, citing its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a directive stating that the Liaison Office could not be upgraded to a diplomatic mission, reinforcing its commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity.

“The Ministry further notes with concern that to the extent the event of May 27, 2025, has not been approved by this Ministry, its investiture of the status of a Diplomatic Office does not enjoy the imprimatur of the Republic of Kenya and cannot be allowed to proceed,” a statement issued on Monday evening read in part.

Despite this setback, Somaliland proceeded with the launch of the mission office.

Somaliland’s Mission in Nairobi serves as the country’s representation office in Kenya, with key roles including trade and investment, consular services, political engagement, and community support.

On the sidelines, Somaliland’s president held meetings with various top officials in the country, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula.