Cord leader Raila Odinga has said that the international community should recognise Somaliland as an independent state causing an uproar in Somalia.
The country’s ambassador to the Kenya Gamal Hassan termed Raila's comment at Chatham House in London as irresponsible and damaging to the country's territorial integrity.
Raila, during a question and answer session, said he supports the full recognition of the breakaway Somaliland.
"I am a strong supporter of the full recognition of Somaliland. I think there is a very strong case," he said.
Amb Hassan dismissed Raila saying the comment was in a bad taste and politics of Somalia should be left to the Somalis adding that politicians should refrain from such issues.
Somaliland is not internationally recognised as an independent state after declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.
The country is mainly referred to as semi-autonomous and Raila’s comment comes just days after Peter Munya who chairs the council of governors called for some recognition of Somaliland.
Munya spoke after leading a Kenyan delegation to Hargeisa-Somaliland’s capital- seeking removal restrictions on the Miraa trade.