Are Jubaland state forces training in Kenya?

MANDERA, Kenya - Jubaland regional forces could be training in northeastern Kenya, senior officials from Mandera County have claimed, in what could trigger tensions in the expansive border in the middle of the ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab militants.

Mohamed Adan Khalif, the governor of Mandera, claimed that the forces were operating in Border Point 1 Primary school, a move which has resulted in the closure of the institution and threatened Kenya's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The closure of the school, he said, would immensely affect students set to sit for the national exams, which are scheduled for October. The institution is found in Mandera Town, a few kilometers from Somalia.

“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia except for peace. If the forces are not removed immediately, we will take action ourselves,” Khalif said.

Khalif accuses the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) of working closely with Jubaland forces and went on to warn using Kenya is being used as the ground for training for military offensives in neighbouring Somalia.

“You cannot close schools, farms, and water supplies in the name of supporting a faction in Somalia. We are also telling our Ethiopian neighbors not to use Mandera Town as a support base. There are many other border entries,” he added.

Mandera Woman Representative Umulkheir Kassim backed the governor, condemning the conversion of a school into what she called a “militia training ground.” Senator Ali Roba also raised concern, writing on X that “fear and anxiety rocked Mandera residents as stray bullets and rockets hit our soil. This is no way for Kenyan citizens to live.”

But Jubaland Vice President Aden Sayid Mohamed denied the allegations, noting that the forces are operating within the border. However, it is common knowledge that KDF works closely with Jubaland forces, with the state acting as a buffer zone in the Al-Shabaab war.

Lately, Jubaland is at loggerheads with the federal government of Somalia, leading to the deployment of elite units of the Somali National Army in the Gedo region — further escalating the conflict. Kenya works closely with the Jubaland regional forces.

Meanwhile, KDF troops stationed at Diff in Wajir South Sub-County convened a Key Leaders’ Engagement (KLE) at Diff town, bringing together security agencies, administrative officials, and community leaders in a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.

The meeting provided a platform for open dialogue between local leaders and security personnel, reinforcing the importance of partnership in addressing emerging security challenges along the Kenya-Somalia border, KDF said.

Speaking at the forum, Major Martin Kasinga highlighted security as a shared responsibility requiring joint efforts. He also reiterated that sustainable peace demands inclusivity and collaboration between government agencies and the local population.

Chairman of the Sub-County Security Committee, Mr. Omar Hussein, further emphasized the need for cooperation and information sharing between locals and security agencies to sustain stability.

GAROWE ONLINE