Somalilandsun- Kenya officially recognized Kosovo as an independent state in March 2025 and has recognized Kosovo passports as valid travel documents since March 2024.
This has not come without a diplomatic row with Serbia terming the move as an affront to her sovereignty.
Despite such regular cries from Serbia the Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by 105 UN member states while the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Cook Islands, and Niue. Serbia and other member states consider Kosovo as an autonomous region of Serbia.
According to the Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Abdirahman Dahir Adan ” Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo is a positive step that further encourages Somaliland’s pursuit of recognition from African nations within the African Union”
On the 27th March 2027 in Nairobi and a day after the announcement Serbs were knocking on the door of Nairobi on Thursday in protest at Kenya’s decision to recognise the independence of Kosovo, a region in southeastern Europe that has been seeking independence from Belgrade for two decades.
The beef was that Kenya had on Wednesday endorsed that independence, with President William Ruto proceeding to proclaim Kenya’s intent to establish diplomatic ties and recognise Kosovo passports.
The Serbian envoy to Kenya, Ambassador Danijela Čubrilo Martić indicated that “The Republic of Serbia shall take all necessary diplomatic and political measures in response to this Unacceptable and unfriendly act”
While a possible diplomatic and political row is developing in Nairobi, in Somaliland it’s jubilation as the administration in Hargeisa sees a window of opportunity for her estranged three decades quest for recognition as an independent nation separate from Somalia.
A press statement (below) the FM Adan informed that
The Republic of Somaliland having upheld peace, democratic governance, and effective state institutions for over three decades shares with Kosovo a parallel trajectory grounded in the legitimate expression of sovereign will and the fulfilment of the established criteria for statehood under international law. Somaliland notes with appreciation the legal precedent set by the International Court of Justice regarding Kosovo’s declaration of independence, and affirms the relevance of this precedent in the context of Somaliland’s enduring pursuit of international recognition.
