ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Recent tensions between Somalia and Kenya "remain a serious concern for the African Union (AU)," chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has said.
"The recent tensions between Somalia and Kenya, two neighboring countries, which led to the breakdown of diplomatic relations, remain a serious concern for the African Union," the chairperson of the 55-member pan-African bloc said during the 38th IGAD Extraordinary Meeting, which brought together east African leaders in the Red Sea nation Djibouti late Sunday.
Faki "called on the two parties to open dialogue with a view to the resumption of these relations," and urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African bloc, "to strongly encourage them in this regard."
Noting that Kenya is a troop-contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and hosts a large community of Somali refugees, he affirmed that "I'm convinced that the long-standing and strong links between the two countries and peoples can overcome the current challenges."
AMISOM is an active, regional peacekeeping mission operated by the AU, with the approval of the United Nations Security Council.
Faki, who recalled the importance of the AU's flagship continental aspiration of "Silencing the Guns" toward a peaceful Africa, also emphasized the strategic role that IGAD, as a regional bloc, is expected to play "for the Africa we want -- integrated, prosperous and peaceful."
He reiterated the AU commitment "to contribute to efforts in the region."
"Africa can no longer and should not suffer from the tensions and divisions," Faki said.
Last week, Somalia cut diplomatic relations with Kenya over what it described as violation of Mogadishu's sovereignty and territorial integrity, following a visit by Musa Bihi Abdi, leader of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Kenya responded that it will not retaliate against Somalia's move to expel its diplomats from Mogadishu but will instead seek diplomatic solutions to the current spat.
On Nov. 29, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Kenya and ordered the Kenyan envoy to leave Mogadishu, accusing Nairobi of interference in the electoral process in Jubbaland, a semi-autonomous Somali state bordering Kenya. Enditem
