President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, March 4, chaired a special session of the National Security Council (NSC).
The accusations by the Government of Somalia made by Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman in New York, in February and concerns over Somalia's attack on Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were the main points of discussion.
"The Federal Government of Somalia in pursuit of short term political expediency is out to create artificial fissures in the relations between the Republic of Kenya and the Federal Government of Somalia.
"Kenya, therefore, joins calls by the United Nations and other regional and international partners urging the Federal Government of Somalia to urgently and exhaustively seek broad political consensus and ensure that key security benchmarks for governance and security relations between the Federal Government and Member States are achieved," the press release from State House reads in part.
Uhuru reiterated that such efforts were imperative in consolidating the gains made and ensuring that Somalia was firmly on the trajectory to peace, stability, and prosperity.
"We, therefore, urge the Federal Government of Somalia, to cease and desist from the unwarranted provocations and focus on managing its internal affairs for the welfare of her people; defeating terrorism; and advancing the cause of peace, security, and stability in the region," the statement further reads.
Uhuru further urged Somalia to stop what he described as a smear campaign and commit the energy to deliver leadership and prosperity to its own people.
"Al-Shabaab terrorists remain the major existential threat to Somalia, Kenya and the Horn of Africa region. Defeating al-Shabaab and its international network should, therefore, remain the primary security focus of the Federal Government of Somalia as its core mandate," the president's statement read in part.
Uhuru's statement comes in the wake of the March 2, attack that took place in Bulla Hawa in Somalia, which borders Kenya's Mandera town. This resulted in Mandera Governor Ali Roba issuing a directive that his county staff keep away from their offices as he could not guarantee their safety.
Below was president Uhuru's full statement regarding what he termed as the unwarranted violation of Kenya's territorial integrity and sovereignty by the people Republic of Somalia.
. The National Security Council noted with concern the violations of Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by the Somalia National Army on Monday the 2nd March, 2020; where the foreign soldiers in flagrant breach and total disregard of international laws and conventions engaged in aggressive and belligerent activities by harassing and destroying properties of Kenyan citizens living in the border town of Mandera.
. This action amounts to an unwarranted attack by foreign soldiers with the intention of provoking Kenya. In keeping with our long-standing and distinguished tradition in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in the region and beyond and in particular – in Somalia; Kenya acted with total restraint.
. The baseless accusations and invalid allegations made by the Federal Government of Somalia that Kenya is interfering with Somalia’s internal affairs; are part of a growing and persistent pattern of ill intent to use Kenya as a scapegoat and a tool to justify challenges in Somalia for political reasons. Kenya will not accept to be used in that manner.
.Indeed, we encourage the Federal Government of Somalia to stop the smear campaign and commit the energy to deliver leadership and prosperity to its people.
.Kenya has paid a heavy price and continues to make notable investments to peace and security in Somalia, the region and beyond. For many years, Kenya has and continues to host hundreds of thousands of Somalia refugees, many of who have sought refuge in Kenya and chosen Kenya as their home. Indeed, Kenya is proud to note that the fledging peace prevailing in Somalia today has been realized through over 30 years of our steadfast sacrifices and consistent efforts with various Somali stakeholders and other international partners towards lasting peace in Somalia.
.The Federal Government of Somalia in pursuit of short term political expediency is out to create artificial fissures in the relations between the Republic of Kenya and the Federal Government of Somalia. Kenya, therefore, joins calls by the United Nations and other regional and international partners urging the Federal Government of Somalia to urgently and exhaustively seek broad political consensus and ensure that key security benchmarks for governance and security relations between the Federal Government and Member States are achieved. These efforts are imperative in consolidating the gains made and ensuring that Somalia is firmly on the trajectory to peace, stability, and prosperity; which cannot be achieved through the barrel of a gun.
.Further, Kenya is desirous to see that security resources in Somalia at both Federal and State level rationally used to defeat Al Shabaab terrorists and stabilize Somalia in order to enable her forces take over national security responsibilities from AMISOM. Al Shabaab terrorists remain the major existential threat to Somalia, Kenya and the Horn of Africa region. Defeating Al Shabaab and its international network should, therefore, remain the primary security focus of the Federal Government of Somalia as its core mandate.
.We, therefore, urge the Federal Government of Somalia, to cease and desist from the unwarranted provocations and focus on managing its internal affairs for the welfare of her people; defeating terrorism; and advancing the cause of peace, security, and stability in the region.
