A statement purportedly from the ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somalia claimed that Kenyans living in the Horn of Africa nation had 168 hours to vacate the country amidst simmering wrangles between the two countries.
On Saturday, Kenya Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau ordered ambassador Lucas Tumbo to return home, citing wrangles between Kenya and Somalia as the Genesis of the order.
"This unparalleled affront and illegal grab at the resources of Kenya will not go unanswered and is tantamount to an act of aggression against the people of Kenya and their resources.
"This outrageous and provocative auction deserves and will be met with a unanimous and resounding rejection by all Kenyans as well as all people of goodwill who believe in the maintenance of international law and order and the peaceful and legal resolution of disputes," he said.
And Mogadishu ambassador to Nairobi Mohamud Ahmed also left the country following the directive of the country with Kenya accusing Somalia of auctioning disputed oil and gas blocks along the Indian Ocean border.
"All Kenyan diplomats have 72 hours to vacate the country. Those with Somali Visas have also 168 hours to leave the country. We subsequently declare them persona non grata," read a statement, whose authenticity is yet to be ascertained by Nairobi.
But on Sunday, the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia released the first statement for the first time since the eviction of Somalia ambassador from Nairobi, saying it regretted the decision.
Further, the statement read, Somali will continue cooperating with Kenya despite the ongoing wrangles, adding that they hope for amicable solution over the Indian Ocean oil and gas block that was allegedly auctioned by the war torn nation.
Kenyan soldiers have been serving Somali since 2011 when they first launched Linda Nchi Operation in search for Al-Shabaab militants.
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