fbpx

Kenya Plans To Reopen Embassy In Shaky Somalia

Kenya Plans To Reopen Embassy In Shaky Somalia

Kenya is planning to reopen its diplomatic mission in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu at an unspecified date later this year despite unease security situation in the country, a senior diplomat told reporters on Monday.

Kenya would be the second country to set up an embassy in Somalia after Turkey following over two decades of war in the horn of Africa country. Somalia is trying to rebuild after civil war and lawlessness, triggered by the overthrow of president Siad Barre in 1991 became uncontrollable.

Islamist militants Al Shabaab were driven out of Mogadishu by Somali government forces and African forces (AMISOM) about three years ago, raising hopes of a return to relative security in a city hit by years of war.

The militants have however kept up guerrilla-style attacks with suside bombers being the most used method of attack, which has enable them to control large rural areas.

“We know it is a risky affair to establish a mission in Mogadishu but Kenya`s presence will help the current government…as it prepares to hold its first democratic election in 2016,” Anadolu Agency  quoted Mohammed Affey, Kenya’s special envoy to the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) saying.

Somalia has remained in the grip of Alshabaab in the last decade as the Terrorist groups linked to Al Qaeda found a nesting ground in the lawless country.

The country had appeared to inch closer to stability with the recent installation of a new government and the intervention of African Union troops tasked with combatting Al-Shabaab.

Affey asserted that Kenya and other countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa must team up with Somalia to eradicate Al-Shabaab militants.

“We must take some sacrifices by setting bases in Somalia because once the country is stable the region too will be stable,” Affey said.

“We must put in place quick counter insurgency measures with a view to eradicating once and for all Al- Shabaab and other militia groups operating in Somalia.”