Kenya denies interfering with Somalia's internal affairs, dismisses allegations as "fabrications"

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After a long silence following a series of alleged reports linking Kenya with the interference of Somalia's domestic affairs, Nairobi has denied the claims, terming them "unwarranted fabrications".

Without tangible proof, Somalia has written a series of letters implicating Kenya of allegedly meddling in its internal affairs, warning of "possible" diplomatic fallout.

So fragile has been the situation, that a deputy governor in Gedo region, recently threatened that "we can order our troops to run over them and seize Nairobi" after a standoff at Balad-Hawo border town.

But in a statement seen by the Nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed the allegations as "invalid", noting that "we take great exception to the fabricated indictments of interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs".

The statement has been sent directly to Somalia and could reignite unending diplomatic rifts between the two nations, whose relationship has been "hot and cold" for decades now.

Nairobi further terms the claims, "baseless" adding that Somalia is using Kenya "as a scapegoat and tool to justify unfulfilled legitimate and social demands in Somalia and for political mileage."

"Kenya will not accept to be used in that manner and encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to stop the campaign and use the energy to deliver leadership to their people," adds the statement.

Abukar Dahir Osman, Somalia's ambassador to the UN accused Kenya last week of destabilizing, adding that "Kenya’s continuous encroachment into Somalia’s border areas" outrightly undermines our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Noting the ultimate danger of the allegations, the envoy insisted that "we will invoke United Nations Charter, Article 35, and bring our case against Kenya’s breach of our sovereignty …to the UN Security Council.”

His sentiments rhymed with those of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who told Universal TV that "Kenya has no business" in Jubaland, in reference to the political impasse in Gedo.

FGS has been accusing Kenya of "protecting" Jubaland administration, whose leader, Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, has been one of Mogadishu's fierce critics.

Although FGS claims Kenya's military directly protects Jubaland leadership, Farmajo has been facing rejection from virtually all the five states, which accuses him of having a plot "to impose his loyalists" ahead of December polls.

The deployment of SNA troops to Gedo has been met with resistance by Jubaland, whose odds were boosted by American's retribution against Farmajo over the decision.

Notably, the standoff in Gedo, where Somalia is accusing KDF of interference, threatens to derail efforts to degrade Al-Shabaab militants, who have caused havoc both in Kenya and Somalia.

On Sunday, 11 Kenya MPs were temporarily held by security forces after their unauthorized trip to Mogadishu, over suspicions that they might have discussed the Gedo crisis with Farmajo.

But the legislators were later released, having denied meeting Fahad Yasin, the NISA boss, whose hand in the crisis is inevitable. According to them, they only met Farmajo after which they discussed strategies to eliminate Al-Shabaab.

Besides the Jubaland debacle, the two countries are also embroiled in the Indian Ocean maritime dispute, which severed diplomatic ties last year.

With Somalia skeptical about out of court settlement, the matter is currently at the International Court of Justice [ICJ] and is scheduled for June 2020, when the parties will file submissions.

GAROWE ONLINE