Sunday February 9, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Authorities in Bulahawa have warned Kenya against what terms as hosting militias allied to embattled Jubbaland Security Minister Abdirashid Janan threatening reprisals should Nairobi continue shielding the wanted Minister.
Bulahawa deputy district commissioner Osman Nur Haji told the local media security in the border town had deteriorated in recent days following the arrival of Janan this past week.
”We are telling Kenya not to host these militias. They are shelling us from the Kenyan side. If Kenya fails to stop them we will shell back, ” the district official said.
Haji added he will mobilise soldiers against Kenya if the ’interference doesn't stop.’
The remarks come amid heightened tension in the border town following the arrival of Janan on Wednesday where he reportedly met with Jubbaland troops and dared the Federal Government to arrest him.
Meanwhile a brief clash Saturday between recently deployed FGS forces and Jubbaland state forces caused the death of one soldier while two others were injured.
Somalia has on two occasions this month accused Kenya of hosting Janan who is wanted in Mogadishu for offenses during his stint as district official in Gedo region.
In a statement Wednesday, Somalia said relations with Kenya was bound to deteriorate following ’continued hosting of Janan’.
”The Federal Republic of Somalia places great importance on maintaining good relations with its neighbouring countries and the harbouring of a dangerous fugitive could seriously endanger the good relations that have existed between Kenya and Somalia,” read the statement from the Federal Government.
Janan said Thursday his arrest had nothing to do with civilians killings but the September 2019 elections in Jubbaland which saw Ahmed Madobe re-elected President, a move contested and dismissed by the Federal Government.