‘The move will make the threat of terrorism worse, not better’, – says Somalia
Kenya’s decision to close the Refugee department is “foul”, the Somalia government has said. The country’s Foreign Affairs ministry issued a statement on Thursday criticising Kenya’s decision to close Dadaab refugee camp.
Dadaab and Kakuma camps hostsabout 400,000 refugees. UNHCR data released in September 2015, says Daadab alone had 340,000 refugees while Kakuma had more than 55,000. Kenya says al Shabaab militants used Dadaab as a launchpad to attack Garissa University College last year and other targets.
But Somalia says: “The move will make the threat of terrorism worse, not better, given the volatile situation this decision and the proposed subsequent actions will cause.”
The country also warned Kenya against breaching a tripartite agreement signed in 2013, with Somalia and the UNHCR. The agreement was for the safe and dignified resettlement of Somali refugees in their home country.
“Abandoning the agreement will be a legal and moral failing on the part of Kenya, because Somalia is turning the corner,” reads the statement. “We are partnering with Kenya to confront global terrorism. Such a mission depends on intelligence and resource sharing as well as partnership and mutual trust.”
Nkaissery says refugees must go
Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery has said the Dadaab camp is being closed for security and economic reasons. “It would be inexcusable for the government to overlook its primary constitutional responsibility to protect her citizens and their property,” Nkaissery says. He says the camp has become a breeding ground for al Shabaab and a centre for smuggling contraband and illicit weapons.