Kenya to address ongoing Gedo conflict after IGAD report

NAIROBI, Kenya - The government of Kenya will on Thursday address the ongoing conflict in the Gedo region of Somalia, just a day after the IGAD fact-finding team absolved the East Africa nation of any wrongdoing, much to the disappointment of Mogadishu, which dismissed the report as "biased".

In a media invite seen by Garowe Online, Nairobi said the address by government spokesperson Col [rtd] Cyrus Oguna, will focus on the current crisis in Gedo and the overall impact between Kenya and Somalia relationship, which has rocked the bottom low in recent weeks.

On Monday, the Somali National Army clashed with Jubaland forces who are believed to be enjoying support from the Kenya Defense Forces, leaving at least 11 people dead. Terming Jubaland forces "militia", Somalia announced victory over the team on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that several Jubaland fighters who were arrested during the crackdown were ferried to the neighboring Dolow district. The fighters who are loyal to Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janaan, sources said, might be airlifted to Mogadishu for trial.

Earlier this week, Kenya had termed the conflict "Somalia's internal issues" even as Mogadishu maintained that Nairobi had a hand in it. In a series of press releases, Kenya denied involvement and asked the international community to intervene by prevailing upon Somalia to handle her internal conflicts.

Thursday's briefing will come just a day after IGAD fact-finding defended Kenya over a series of allegations that had been advanced by Somalia late in December last year. The team denied claims that KDF troops had abandoned civilians in Gedo, adding that there was no evidence that Kenya has recognized Jubaland's leadership.

Further, the team downplayed claims that Kenya was arming Jubaland security forces to rebel against the federal government, arguing that "no sufficient evidence was found". Also, illegal sugar importation claims could not be substantiated.

However, Kenya was found culpable of violating Somalia's airspace norms as the team called for an immediate cessation of such movements on air. Somalia instead, accused Djibouti of taking sides, arguing that such a report could severe links between Mogadishu and Djibouti.

GAROWE ONLINE