NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28- Kenya has hit back at Somalia, after Mogadishu sustained a war of word, following an ‘unfavorable’ Intergovernmental Authority on Development report., that shows there were no justifiable reasons to cut diplomatic ties with Nairobi.
While Kenya welcomed the report, Mogadishu dismissed it in entirety, while accusing the fact-finding mission as biased.
On Thursday, Kenya through the government spokesperson Rt Col Cyrus Oguna told off Somalia, saying “that we will not accept to be drawn into internal politics of Somalia.”
Oguna said Somalia administration was desperate to create an international scenario, as a war to divert its citizens from next month’s general election.
Somali President Mohammed Abdullahi alias Farmaajo is seeking a second term in office, in a race that has attracted other competitors, including the former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.
Oguna further linked some of the insecurity incidents in Northern Kenya and more so at border county of Mandera to “domestic political activities in Somalia.”
He said Kenya was concerned over the military skirmishes between forces believed to be the Somali National Army and Jubaland security forces.
“It is of great concern to us that the recurrent confrontations between these forces, not only cause fear and panic amongst our people at the border town of Mandera, but also do lead to the displacement of civilians from Gedo region in Somalia,” he said.
“The displaced families are often forced to flee into Kenya for safety and asylum, further overstretching the capacity of our facilities.”
He added that, “It is of great concern to us that the recurrent confrontations between these forces, not only cause fear and panic amongst our people at the border town of Mandera, but also do lead to the displacement of civilians from Gedo region in Somalia.”
“The displaced families are often forced to flee into Kenya for safety and asylum, further overstretching the capacity of our facilities.”
Kenya has however insisted that is still committed to restore the severed diplomatic relations with Somalia.
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Oguna said, it was not in the interest of Kenya to destabilize Somalia, since the effects will anyway, spill over to the country.
“As already communicated, allegations by Somalia that Kenya is sponsoring and harbouring militia with the objective of destabilizing Somalia are not based on any merit,” he said.
“As a people, Kenyans are known the world over for their generosity and hospitality, perhaps more so by Somalis, who have found refuge in this country for more than two decades. While in the country, they continue to enjoy almost equal privileges as Kenyans.”
IGAD has called for high level diplomatic talks between the two counties, for a solution to be found.
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