Kenya to host tripartite talks on repatriation of refugees

Kenya: Kenya will host tripartite talks with the United Nations and Somali Government over a pact signed more than a year ago on repatriation of refugees.

The talks between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the government of Somalia and the government of Kenya will assess the pact signed more than a year ago on voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees.

This was agreed at a meeting between the Prime Minister of Somalia Omar Ali Sharmarke and Deputy President William Ruto at Harambee House Annex.

The Prime Minister called on the Deputy President to discuss the security situation between the two countries.

Mr Sharmarke called for the meeting saying it was important to evaluate how the process can be carried out responsibly and made faster with the assistance of the international community.

The Somali PM said, “We want to address the refugee issue in the tripartite agreement and agree on how fast it can be done and what role the donor community can play.”

Mr Sharmarke, who was accompanied by his Foreign Minister Abdulsalam Omer, also appealed to Kenya to scale up the presence of Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia.

He said although Al Shabaab had been vanquished in most of the country, there was a “small corridor” it has been using to launch attacks on Kenya and Mogadishu.

Mr Sharmarke noted that the incursions Al Shabaab was making in Kenya were meant to create discontent between Christians and Muslims and to recruit more youths in their “terrorist organisation”.

Mr Ruto said the tripartite agreement will be discussed with a view of ensuring refugees returned to Somalia in a humane and orderly manner.

He said, “We would like this meeting to address the concerns raised in this matter so that we can deal with the refugee situation in the most humane manner.”

He noted that it was important to relook at the tripartite agreement providing for a safe return of Somali refugees to address any concerns raised about voluntary repatriation of the refugees.

Emphasizing that the return of the refuges will be orderly, the DP pointed out that since the signing of the tripartite agreement to return the refugees home, 80,000 had returned home voluntarily.

Said the DP: “Kenya is willing and ready to discuss the process and how it can be worked out so to take care of the concerns raised so that we can deal with the situation in a most humane manner.”

Mr Ruto observed that a lot of resources have been deployed on the Somali situation but encouraged people of goodwill not to tire in helping the people of Somalia overcome their difficulties.

He said Kenya was willing to support and engage in facilitating the development of infrastructure in Somali including providing teachers, nurses and other professionals under an internationally recognised agreement.

Mr Ruto said the country had made a conscious decision to participate in the Somali peace process, a decision he added, was unwavering.

“We will always stand with you. We made a conscious decision to participate in the security operations in Somalia because what goes on in Somalia affects us in Kenya.

“That is why we committed troops under Amisom and will not leave until we have a stable Somalia and we have eliminated all extremists, all those who finance and collaborate with terrorists.”

The Deputy President said it was unfortunate that Al-Shabaab has a different agenda in Kenya trying to drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims; an agenda, he added, will not succeed.

The Prime Minister appealed to Kenya to review its decision and allow those who were engaged in genuine business to continue with their money transfer businesses, popularly known as Hawalas.

He, however, appealed to the government to consider training them on good financial practices.

He said: “Kenya has a good financial system and we would like you to assist us set up sound financial services for those in the Hawala business and also in Somalia.”

The Prime Minister said Kenya should deal firmly with those who will be found to transacting for purposes of sponsoring terrorist activities.

In response, the DP said the Central Bank of Kenya was analsying operations to explore the possibilities of bringing the Hawalas under financial regulatory system for ease of monitoring.

The analysis will also help identify individuals behind any transaction and purposes thereof.

Also present were Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary for industrialisation Aden Mohammed and the leader of the majority in Parliament Aden Duale.