Somalia: President visits Dadaab amid concerns Kenya will shut camp

NAIROBI, Kenya- Federal Government of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met with Somali refugees inside the World’s largest Refugee Camp, Dadaab amid concerns over planned closure, Garowe Online reports. 

Kenyan and Somali officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalan Omar Hadliye and Ambassador to Kenya Jamal Mohamed Hassan flaked Mohamud’s delegation towards the complex that is a home to half a million Somalis. 

Mohamud mingled with Somali refugees and inspected conditions during his tour there, presidency said in statement on Monday. 

The visit marks the first by a Somali President to Dadaab refugee camp, coming just seven months after Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke made a similar tour in November, 2015. In early May, Kenya announced a taskforce expected to oversee the repatriation of Somalis in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee complexes.  

However Somali government at the time warned it foresees more terror should Dadaab be closed against the wishes of refugees due to the volatile situation on the ground. 

A tripartite agreement was signed between Somalia, Kenya and UN Refugee Agency on the voluntary and dignified repatriation of refugees in November, 2013. 

Hadliye earlier last week lauded Kenya for hosting his country’s nationals for over two decades, pointing to how Somalis continue to feel at home with Kenyans. 

“We appreciate Kenya and are sure it will carry out the current exercise in the most humane manner,” said Somalia FM, according to Kenya’s Daily Nation.

Kenyan task force will be outlining repatriation procedures in close cooperation with Somaliaand United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Mohamud will hold talks on the closure of Dadaab Refugee Camp with his counterpart UhuruKenyatta on Tuesday.

GAROWEONLINE