Kenya closes the world’s largest refugee camp in the course of

Kenya is closing the world’s largest refugee camp amid strained ties with Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR] to close two key refugee camps in yet another step that could escalate the security crisis even across the country’s borders.

In a statement from the Secretary of the Interior, Dr. Fred Matiang’i tells Kenya that Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps must be closed within a certain time, in what could affect thousands of refugees from Somalia and South Sudan.

UNHCR, Kenya says, should no longer negotiate, but must find a roadmap for the closure of the two camps within the shortest possible time. It is not clear why Nairobi reached such a decision.

“CS Fred Matiangi provides the UNHCR with a 14-day ultimatum to have a roadmap for the specific closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. There is no room for further negotiations,” reads the statement, which comes amid strained relations between Kenya and Somalia.

This is not the first time Kenya is pushing the UN [UN] to close the camps, which host over 600,000 refugees from neighboring countries, who have been dealing with insecurity for several years now.

Kenya has been pushing for the progressive repatriation of refugees, especially from Somalia, as it insists they must travel with immediate effect amid the deteriorating relationship between Nairobi and Mogadishu.

Some of these refugees have resided in Kenya for over two decades but have been relieved by the UN. Kenya is a member of the UN and hosts the UN Environment Program in addition to sitting on the UN Security Council [UNSC] as a non-permanent representative.

The federal government of Somalia has not yet issued a statement on the latest developments, but at home it is also facing pressure to step down after the end of its term under the leadership of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

AXADLETM

.