Duale: Kenya is a regional peace hub in Horn of Africa

Defence CS Aden Duale taking over office at Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, October 31,2022. Image: Enos Teche

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya remains a peace hub in the Horn of Africa, a region that is struggling with instability, Defense Minister Aden Duale has said, noting that the East African nation has remained steadfast in supporting peace, security, and stability whenever needed by the neighboring states.

Kenya, he said, is always under obligation to send troops for peacekeeping processes whenever called upon because it is a member of the United Nations and had signed a UN charter to support the same. Currently, Kenya has troops in Somalia, Sudan, and DR Congo.

While hosting United Nations Military Advisor in the Department of Peace Operations General Birame Diop who paid him a courtesy visit at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, Duale insisted Kenya will undertake such obligations with zeal and vigor they deserve to protect innocent civilians.

According to him, Kenya has participated in peace processes in Tigray within Ethiopia, and Somalia for the last decade, and in DR Congo where East African Community Regional Force [EACRF] was recently deployed. He urged the UN to continue supporting peace initiatives in the Horn of Africa.

“We are a key player in opening up the humanitarian corridor and we are deeply convinced that everyone has something to offer in peace processes. We, therefore, need to harmonize and synchronize our operations since we believe that together as EACRF and MONUSCO, we shall achieve more in our endeavor to bring stability in our neighborhood and the entire region,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude for the steps made in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission [ATMIS] in neutralizing the Al-Qaeda-linked militia [Al-Shabaab] saying the Somali Security Forces are being prepared to take over to defend and protect their nation once the mission ends.

On his part, General Diop conveyed the message of goodwill from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who acknowledged the role played by Kenya in maintaining peace and stability within the Horn of Africa. Diop said the UN is committed to supporting peace operations.

“We are impressed that Kenya is holding key positions under EACRF in efforts to bring peace and stability to DRC. We have a collective responsibility to participate in peace-building activities,” said Gen. Diop.

During the meeting, the CS was accompanied by the Vice Chief of Defence Forces [VCDF] Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla and Chief of Strategy, Policy, and Planning Brigadier Richard Mwanzia.

Kenya is intending to dispatch additional soldiers to Somalia to help in the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab militants as the Somali National Army prepares for an offensive in the coming days. The republic of Kenya has close to 3,500 troops serving in ATMIS whose mandate expires in 2024.

GAROWE ONLINE