Somaliland has appointed former Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Omar as its new Ambassador to Kenya, succeeding Ambassador Mohamed Mohamoud. The announcement marks a significant diplomatic development, coming shortly after President Abdirahman Cirro’s visit to Nairobi where he held bilateral talks with President William Ruto.
Dr Omar, an accomplished diplomat, scholar, and mediator, brings decades of experience in diplomacy, political conflict resolution, and international relations. He previously served as Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Trade and Investment. His diplomatic legacy includes spearheading the landmark 2012 political dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia, aimed at mending relations severed for over two decades.
His appointment is widely seen as part of the political transition following the November 2024 elections in Somaliland, which saw President Muse Bihi Abdi lose to Cirro. The change signals a renewed focus on strengthening regional and international ties, particularly with Kenya—a key ally in East Africa.
Over the past decade, Dr Omar has served as a senior mediator at the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), specializing in conflict resolution across the Horn of Africa. He has also been a lecturer at Brunel University and the University of London’s Institute of Education, blending academic insight with practical diplomacy.
Dr Omar holds a PhD in International Political Economy from the United Kingdom. His appointment makes him the first former foreign minister to be named an ambassador by Somaliland—highlighting Hargeisa’s intent to elevate its diplomatic engagement with Nairobi.
His presence in Nairobi is expected to boost bilateral cooperation, enhance regional peacebuilding initiatives, and promote economic partnerships. Somaliland has long sought international recognition since breaking away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, and Kenya’s role as a regional power makes its relationship with Hargeisa strategically important.
With Dr Omar at the helm, Somaliland is poised to strengthen its voice on the international stage, advocate for its quest for statehood, and build lasting partnerships that support stability and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
