MOGADISHU, Somalia – Tensions have continued to build at the Kenya-Somalia border near the fragile Gedo region following a diplomatic spit between the two countries, which was constructed by Jubaland’s decision to refuse to hold national elections until the Somali National Army [SNA] soldiers have been completely withdrawn, Voice of America reports despite ceasefire calls.
The Somali federal government has already sent troops to the border town of Beled-Hawo, while forces from Somalia’s Jubaland region, which has good relations with Kenya, are stationed in the nearby Kenyan city of Mandera, but Kenya has strongly rejected the reports. .
Mohamed Maaalim Mahamud, Mandera County senator, told the VOA that his people should not bear the brunt of the poor diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We do not want a situation where these two forces are fighting and the lives of our people are in danger,” Mohamud said. people.”
Hundreds of fighters allied with Jubaland Interior Minister Abdirashid Janan have been stationed in Mandera for several months. Last March, these forces launched a cross-border attack in Beled Hawo, killing dozens. Janan is a close ally of Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe.
In February this year, there were allegations that he regrouped his team in Mandera after fleeing the Mogadishu prison, but Kenya denied the allegations. There were clashes between the SNA and Jubaland forces, which actually almost sprayed over to Kenya.
On Tuesday, Madera residents took to the streets to demand that the Jubaland forces leave and stop endangering their lives. The protest took place after the Somali government sent hundreds of soldiers to secure the Beled-Hawo area.
Fifty-year-old Jamaa Warsame is one of the oldest in Beled-Hawo. He said residents of the city cannot afford to flee their homes this time of year.
Warsame said that during this time it is really hot, dry and there is drought. He says we are so much against any conflict this time. He said we would like to call on our government, which has control over the area, to find a solution and reach agreement with those who oppose it, so that we can enjoy the peace we have now.
Last week, Somalia severed diplomatic ties with Kenya. The federal government accuses Kenya of interfering in its internal affairs – an accusation denied by Kenyan officials. George Musamali is the head of the Center for Risk Management in Africa. He says any conflict between Kenya and Somalia could be felt across the border.
“We have always had cross-border attacks inside Kenya, the place has always been unstable and now we are seeing a strengthening of forces along the border,” Musamali said. “Then this will pose a major threat to security throughout the area and it will not only affect Kenya but it will also affect the Great Lakes region in general. I believe that we must have a diplomatic solution to this series, as opposed to bringing forces along the border, which clearly indicates that there is hostility. ”
For its part, the Jubaland government has insisted on the withdrawal of government forces in the nearby Gedo region, a demand that the government in Mogadishu has refused to accept. Somalia was to hold elections from December.
AXADLETM
