The United States (US) government has pledged to sustain support for the fight against terrorists in Somalia, in the wake of continued Al Shabab activities and recent reports of Jubaland forces’ presence in parts of Northern Kenya.
In a statement on September 3, the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu said U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson visited Somalia for the first time since assuming the role.
The Embassy said General Anderson thanked the African Union’s Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) leaders for their partnership in the fight against al-Shabaab.
General Anderson held discussions with Ambassador El-Hadj Ibrahima Diene, Deputy Force Commander Major Gen. Pieter Muteti and Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu.
Gen. Anderson stressed that cooperation and burden sharing among partners are essential to success in defeating terrorism.
“And he recognized that while the United States provides a wide range of support to Somalia and AUSSOM, it is African troops who are taking the fight to the enemy,” read part of the statement.
Several leaders have asked President William Ruto to address reports of the presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera County.
Speaking in separate forums, the leaders demanded that Ruto order their immediate withdrawal.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif warned that the armed units have taken over schools and marketplaces along the Somalia border, forcing at least one primary school to close.
Khalif said locals can be forced to act if the forces are not withdrawn since their presence is instilling fear among families and threatening Kenya’s sovereignty.
“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia except for peace,” Khalif said.
Maraga Warns Ruto
Former Chief Justice David Maraga said the entry and operations of the Jubaland armed forces in Mandera County raise profound constitutional, legal, and security concerns.
Maraga said Kenya is a sovereign state and its borders are inviolable.
He explained that the protection of Kenya’s territorial integrity is a fundamental duty imposed on the President and all state organs by the Constitution.
“I therefore call upon President Ruto to ensure the prompt withdrawal of Jubaland forces from Kenya. I also urge Parliament, as the representative of the people, to demand a full account from President Ruto on how these forces were allowed into our country, and under what legal framework,” Maraga stated.
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Maraga said the law requires transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional procedures, especially in matters of national security.
He cited Article 238 of the Constitution, which outlines the primary objective of national security as to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kenya and to protect its people.
“This serious violation of our sovereignty sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden external actors to interfere with our internal affairs and weaken the confidence of our citizens, as it has already done, in the State’s ability to guarantee their safety and security, ” Maraga said.
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Gachagua Raises Concern Over Jubaland Forces in Kenya
The issue was first raised by Former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.
He claimed that the Jubaland forces were operating freely in Mandera County while the national government maintains studious silence over the matter.
Speaking on August 31, Gachagua urged President Ruto to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to Mandera to remove the forces from Kenya.
Gachagua said Jubaland forces have occupied more than half the town, killed five people, injured seven others, and displaced many people, including from schools.
“It cannot be that foreign forces are in our land, and the government is quiet and the Commander-in-Chief is quiet. We are asking the Commander-in-Chief of the KDF to immediately order an operation to flush foreign troops out of our land,” Gachagua said.
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