Jubaland dismisses FGS claims of Kenya arming militia in the border

KISMAYO, Somalia - Kenya is not playing any role in arming and equipping militia in the border town of Mandera, Jubaland Security minister Abdirashid Janaan has told the media, just a day after Somalia accused Kenya of supplying weapons to a local militia in the region.

In a tough-worded statement on Saturday, Somalia warned that it will take measures to "defend our integrity and sovereignty". It claimed that a group of the militia had been deployed in Mandera and parts of Gedo with an aim to retake the region from the Somali National Army [SNA].

The minister, who is a close ally of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, said that he was outside Beled Hawo with Jubaland forces, adding that nobody was regrouping in Kenya to assault the SNA troops.

"It had nothing to do with us on the FGS decision to cut ties with Kenya. We have good relations with Kenya," he said, making reference to the recent decision by Kenya to cut diplomatic ties with Kenya, over claims that it was interfering with her internal politics especially in Jubaland.

Janan accused President Mohamed Farmajo and Fahad Yasin, the Director of the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] of fuelling tensions in the region, saying "they will shoulder responsibility for the consequences of the conflict". Yasin managed to escape from jail in Mogadishu early this year after five months in detention over the frosty relationship between Farmajo and Madobe.

When asked if he has received troops from Dhobley, he replied, "The forces are Jubaland soldiers operating within Jubaland," refuting allegations from Mogadishu that he is metabolizing militia inside Kenya with KDF support. KDF mans huge sections of Jubaland under the command of AMISOM.

After accusing Kenya of sabotage, Somalia deployed her military to Jubaland especially in Baled-Hawo, arguing that it will "defend our sovereignty". The troops accused KDF of working with Jubaland forces to destabilize the region, which is also facing the Al-Shabaab threat.

On Friday, KDF Deputy Army Commander Maj General Albert Kendagor visited Mandera and El-Wak Forward Operating Bases where he encouraged the soldiers to defend the country's borders. However, he did not mention any issue with regard to the current tensions between Nairobi and Mogadishu.

This comes amid an ongoing IGAD meeting in Djibouti where the current impasse between Kenya and Somalia is being discussed. But despite Farmajo attending in person, President Uhuru Kenyatta is attending the 38th IGAD Extra-Ordinary Summit.

The bloc's meeting came following a letter against Kenya sent to PM Abdalla Hamdok last week by the Somali government, blaming Nairobi for meddling in its upcoming election.

Besides the ongoing tensions, the Al-Shabaab militants seem to have taken advantage, seizing briefly Gumurey near Wajir, where they abducted the area chief following attacks in Kenya as KDF Deputy Commander visited the region. The militants still remain a threat in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE