MOGADISHU, Kenya, Dec, 19 – The Somalia Federal Government has alleged that the Kenya is hosting a militia which it is illegally arming and equipping them with weapons to destabilize Somalia.
This is the latest rant by Somalia since Mogadishu cut diplomatic ties with Kenya.
Through the Somalia’s Ministry of Information, the Somalia government on Saturday said it has also been closely monitoring the alleged military mobilisation by Kenya along the common border of Mandera County.
“The federal government has learnt the government of Kenya has armed and deployed militias in Mandera with the intent to attack Beled Hawo and Somalia National Army bases located in Somalia,” reads a section of the statement from the Somalia Ministry of information.
Somalia has warned that” the aggression from the Kenyan Government” and its alleged illegal actions in the country threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa region.
Somalia has been accusing Kenya of meddling with its internal affairs though diplomatic pundits have linked the crisis to the forthcoming general election.
“The Federal government of Somalia will take necessary steps to ensure political independence, territorial integrity and the protection of the dignity and honour of the people of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” reads the statement.
On Friday, the Deputy Commander Kenya Army Maj. Gen. Albert Kendagor paid a courtesy visit to the Kenya Army troops deployed for operations in North Eastern Region “where he commended troops for their efforts in defending and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya.”
But it is not yet clear whether the visit has anything to do with the Somalia-Kenya dispute.
The Kenya Government is yet to respond to the fresh allegations.
Somalia had late November recalled its ambassador to Kenya while at the same time expelling Kenya’s ambassador to the country, Lt. General (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo in a bid to allow what they termed as “further consultations.”
In its list of grievances, Somalia has also accused the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who have been in the country under a 22,000 strong AMISOM command for a decade in well coordinated peace efforts, of withdrawing their troops from key bases without notifying the Federal government.
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Earlier this week, the National Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna without divulging further details said a committee had been formed to quell further tension between the two countries.
It is not clear who is in the committee and what approach they intend to take since Somalia is adamant that Kenya must stop “interfering with its internal affairs.”
Mogadishu this week also expressed displeasure following bilateral talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Somaliland President Muse Bihi saying that it did not have the legitimacy to deal directly with Kenya.
Somali, considers Somaliland to be part of its semi-autonomous regions.
Somalia has since sought the help of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) over the ongoing diplomatic crisis.
IGAD is set to convene a special summit on December 20 in Djibouti.
The country’s minister of information Osman Dubbe has called for intervention from the African Union, UN Security Council as well as other “international partners.”
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