Somalia’s Apology Backfires After Kenyan Flag Mounted Upside Down

FOLLOW US ON

Somalia’s Apology Backfires After Kenyan Flag Mounted Upside Down

Somalia’s efforts to calm tensions with Kenya have hit a snag after an official apology was marred by another blunder — the Kenyan flag was hung upside down.

The apology came after a video of Somali fans desecrating the Kenyan flag during a CAF Champions League match between Kenya Police FC and Mogadishu City Club at Nyayo National Stadium on September 20 went viral. In the footage, fans were seen trampling, kicking and rubbing the flag on their bodies, sparking outrage in Kenya.

Somalia’s government dissociated itself from the incident, saying the actions of “a few individuals” did not reflect the values of friendship and respect that guide relations between the two countries.

“Let me make it clear that we regret and condemn in strong terms the actions of a few individuals whose behavior overshadowed the good performance of our two teams,” Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, said.

But what was meant to be a gesture of reconciliation turned into another controversy. During the official apology, the Kenyan flag was hung upside down — a sign of distress in international protocol.

Kenyans online were not slow to point out the mistake, with many calling it a “second insult” while others said it was an embarrassment.

“First they disrespect the flag, then they apologize while hanging it upside down. Is this really an apology?” one social media user asked. Another asked: “Do we assume the ambassador couldn’t see that the flag was upside down? What are they trying to show?”

The diplomatic blunder overshadowed an earlier statement from Mogadishu City Club which had already condemned the behavior of its fans.

“On behalf of Mogadishu City Club we strongly condemn this act and apologize to the government and people of Kenya,” the club said in a statement. It described the fans’ behavior as “unacceptable” and vowed to support disciplinary action against those involved.

The club also urged its fans, especially the young ones, to respect other nations, their people and their national symbols.

What was meant to be a damage control has now deepened the crisis, with Somalia’s government facing criticism for both the original incident and the bungled apology.

Also Read: Kenya to Roll Out Affordable HIV Prevention Jab at Sh5,400 a Year

Somalia’s Apology Backfires After Kenyan Flag Mounted Upside Down