Somalia: Fact-finding team visits Somali-Kenyan border

DOLOW, Somalia - A joint high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia led by the Interior Minister Abdi Farah Sa'ed "Juha" paid a visit to towns in Gedo region on Somali-Kenyan border, Garowe Online reports.

Farah accompanied by government officials, members of the Federal Parliament and the Director of the Immigration department, Mohamed Aden Kofi touched down in Dolow district on Monday where they proceeded to the border town of Balad-Hawo.

Another delegation from Jubbaland that was headed by Vice President Mohamud Sayid Aden joined Minister Farah on the fact-finding mission in the border crossing points amid rising tension in Balad-Hawo town.

Speaking to local media, Farah said the main objective of their trip is to hear local people's concerns over the construction of the wall on Somalia border by Kenya and find out the reality on the ground.

"We arrived in Dolow and Balad-Hawo town in Gedo region to meet the local residents, hear their concerns and see the reality on the ground with our own eyes," said Farah.

He added that they are trying to defuse the current tension between people in Balad-Hawo town in Somalia and Mandera county, located in Kenya's northeastern region and the border dispute.

This week, Balad-Hawo residents took to the streets after Kenya had resumed the construction of a 435-mile wall along its porous border with Somalia as part of efforts to shut out Islamic militant group Al-Shabab.

In response to residents' call, the Federal government of Somalia dispatched a fact-finding team made up of ministers and MPs to investigate allegations of Kenya encroaching on Somali territory.

GAROWE ONLINE