Somalia has announced that it is cutting diplomatic ties with Kenya. 

This follows escalating diplomatic rows between the two neighbouring countries and the visit to the country of Somaliland leader Muse Bihi.

Somali Information Minister Osman Dubbe made the announcement on national TV at 2am saying Kenya “constantly interfered” with Somalia’s internal affairs and violated her sovereignty.

Dubbe gave Kenyan diplomats in Mogadishu seven days to vacate Somalia.

This comes barely a week after Mogadishu expelled Kenyan ambassador to Somalia Lucas Tumbo and recalled Somalia envoy to Nairobi Mohamud Ahmed Tarzan.

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Somalia already filed a complaint to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) seeking to have the tiff with Kenya discussed at the December 20 virtual summit on Tigray.

Somalia earlier this year cut diplomatic ties with Guinea over their position on Somaliland.

The decision by Somalia effectively means Kenya will shut down her embassy in Mogadishu and Somalia the same with her mission in Nairobi and each will order her officials to return home.

It is unclear if Kenya will withdraw her troops from Somalia operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and also if Kenya will expel more than 350,000 Somali refugees residing at Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

This also comes as President Uhuru Kenyatta held talks on business and security with autonomous Somaliland leader Muse Bihi, talks which will continue on Tuesday.