NAIROBI, Kenya – There is growing concern that tensions between Kenya and Somalia could erupt in combat due to a military build-up along the two countries’ borders.
The Somali federal government has 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 town of Madera.
Mohamed Maaalim Mahamud is the Mandera County senator. He said 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. “We have now apparently not had good relations between Kenya and Somalia in the last two days, but this should not be borne by Mandera. people.”
Hundreds of fighters allied with Jubaland Interior Minister Abdirashid Janan have been stationed in Madera for several months. Last March, these forces launched a cross-border attack in Beled Hawo, killing dozens.
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 are against 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.
