Ruto: Stability of the Horn of Africa depends on peace in Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya's President William Ruto contends that the Horn of Africa will continue to struggle as long as Somalia remains a hotbed of instability and Al-Shabaab terror given her strategic place within the region whose economy has stagnated for a number of years over the prevailing aforementioned predicaments.

Somalia has been battling against Al-Shabaab militants since 2007, making it practically impossible for successive governments to develop proper cooperation with neighboring countries. Kenya and Ethiopia have for a long time borne the brunt of the Al-Shabaab menace in Somalia.

Speaking on Thursday in Washington, D.C. in the United States of America when he met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Ruto, who was among leaders attending the US-Africa summit, noted that leaders have to work together to defeat terrorism in the region.

“Kenya and Somalia have a lot in common. We have to ensure that there is stability for the sake of our prosperity,” said President Ruto, who was meeting Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for the third time since he succeeded Uhuru Kenyatta, the current peace envoy to Tigray and DR Congo conflicts.

President Mahamud credited Kenya for its role in advancing peace in the region, noting the significant contributions of the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] which are vital in the fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. KDF first entered Somalia in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi before joining AU peacekeepers in 2012.

“Your sacrifices for Somalia are commendable; your contribution to defeating terrorism is phenomenal,” said Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who noted that Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated through military actions alone, adding that there is a need to focus on ideologies besides destroying sources of revenue.

With the aid of clan militia, the Somali National Army [SNA] has managed to liberate several strategic towns across the country in an offensive that has lasted for over four months. The US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] are also part of the crackdown.

Hassan Sheikh has also warned business owners against funding Al-Shabaab whether through extortion or willingly, as the US also issued a revised reward system, this time incorporating people who can possibly identify some of Al-Shabaab's revenue collection centers and the financiers.

GAROWE ONLINE