Emeka-Mayaka Gekara

The Kenya government has closed the country’s airspace with Somalia in the latest escalation of the diplomatic row between the two countries.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya stated that the closure of the airspace was informed by the severance of diplomatic relations between the neighbouring nations.

“Kenya-Somalia airspace has been closed following the severance of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries,” read the statement dated May 27.

It added that Kenya would give exemptions to humanitarian and medevac flights.

“For humanitarian flights, the Ministry must be furnished with the list of the passengers and goods to be transported to Somalia before clearance is issued,” the statement noted.

The government however noted that it had noticed “the misuse of humanitarian flights for bilateral and political matters  contrary to the NOTAM and public notice to missions and air communication between Kenya and Somalia had been stood down.” 

 “The ministry reiterates that humanitarian flights must strictly be used for humanitarian purposes to avoid a possible declaration by the government of Kenya of a full lockdown of flights,” warned the government.

Somaliland  leader

The latest move comes against the backdrop of souring relations between Nairobi-Mogadishu which started in  December last year when Somalia declared that it had cut links with Kenya and  ordered Kenyan diplomats to leave the country within seven days.

“This is an answer to the constant political violation and Kenya’s open interference in Somalia’s independence,” Mogadishu declared in a statement.

The move followed a two-day visit to Kenya by Muse Bihi Abdi, the President of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.

On May 5, Mogadishu, in a dramatic turn of events announced that it was  restoring diplomatic relations with Kenya.

In response, Kenya’s foreign ministry said that it “took note” of the Somali government’s announcement.