Wednesday March 4, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Kenya has urged Somalia to desist from ‘unwarranted provocations’ noting the Monday incident in which fighting among Somali soldiers spilled into the Kenyan side amounted to a violation of its territorial integrity.
A statement from the National Security Council chaired Wednesday by President Uhuru Kenyatta called on Somalia to cease the attacks.
“The National Security Council noted with concern the violations of Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by the Somalia National Army on Monday the 2nd March, 2020; where the foreign soldiers in flagrant breach and total disregard of international laws and conventions engaged in aggressive and belligerent activities by harassing and destroying properties of Kenyan citizens living in the border town of Mandera,” the statement read in part.
The NSC further called on Somalia to focus its energies in fighting terrorism and manage its own internal affairs for the welfare of its people.
“We therefore urge the Federal Government of Somalia, to cease and desist from the unwarranted provocations and focus on managing its internal affairs for the welfare of her people; defeating terrorism; and advancing the cause of peace, security and stability in the region,” the Security Council noted.
The statement follows complaints from the North Eastern region who have accused the National Government of inaction following the fighting Monday which resulted in casualties of civilians in Mandera and destruction of property.Kenya also reiterated its dismissal of accusations by Somalia that it had interfered with its internal affairs.
“The baseless accusations and invalid allegations made by the Federal Government of Somalia that Kenya is interfering with Somalia’s internal affairs; are part of a growing and persistent pattern of ill intent to use Kenya as a scapegoat and a tool to justify challenges in Somalia for political reasons. Kenya will not accept to be used in that manner,” the NSC said.
Somalia accused Kenya of harbouring the fugitive Jubbaland Security Minister Abdirashid Janan in Mandera a claim affirmed by North Eastern MPs who have urged the National Government to hand over the embattled minister.
Tension still remains in Mandera amid fears Somali forces may still launch another attack to capture Janan who escaped custody in Mogadishu in February.