Dadaab and Kakuma closure overdue

NAIROBI: On world refugee day, the UNHCR released a report stating that there are now more refugees globally than at the end of World War 2 and that over 50 per cent of the 65.2 million refugees and displaced persons were found in Africa and the Middle East.

Of these, Kenya has hosted a significant percentage for decades. Indeed, Kenyatta’s administration has made it clear that even as we grapple as a nation with the challenges of national security and territorial integrity our humanity and warm hospitality remains unshakable.

In the 25 years during which Dadaab Refugee camp has existed in Kenya, we have seen hundreds of thousands of Somali’s cross our borders and get shelter, food and education.

During this time, the challenges faced by the inhabitants have been met primarily by the Kenya government and the UNHCR as part of the tripartite agreement.

But the reality of Dadaab is that it was meant to be a temporary solution and not a place for people to live for 25 years. Over that time, at least 2 generations of asylum seekers have been born and grown within the camp.

It cannot be emphasised enough that the conditions of the camp have never been the optimum for any large population and the numbers living there have increased to unsustainable levels.

Added to which, the growth and influence of terror groups and militias including the Al-Shabaab have made the situation more tenuous.

In the face of such a monumental global crisis, it behoves the president to balance human dignity with the security interests of Kenya as a nation.

The task at hand is to ensure that not only are our interests protected by bringing an end to the proliferation of IEDs, small arms and infiltration by militia, but also at the same time ensure that those being repatriated are willing and able to resettle in their homeland complete with the education and skills necessary to build and sustain livelihoods.

Kenya has certainly had to take into consideration a multitude of factors when reaching the decision to shut down Dadaab camp.

For starters, it begs our humanity to leave people living in camp conditions for as long as they have; the camp itself becoming a source of insecurity and environmental degradation to the area, as well as a source of discontent and conflict with the locals of the area who feel neglected in favour of the refugees.

Kenya is one of the world’s most affected countries in the new global refugee crisis.

In that regard, every effort that is needed to stabilize and control the flow of refugees into our country should be within consideration of our security interests as well as in consideration of global approaches taken by other nations.

Uhuru Kenyatta’s adherence to principles of humanity was expressed when he assured the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Fillipo Grandi, that Kenya would uphold its long-standing reputation for respecting the rights of refugees.

“I was very happy to hear the President say emphatically that any solution – and repatriation is obviously the best solution – has to be conducted in a manner that is humane, dignified, safe and respects international law and principles,” said Mr. Grandi.

The world today is caught up in a global crisis of conflict, economic duress, successive wars and instability.

The flow of migrants and the burden of millions of refugees cannot be solved overnight or by harsh and inhuman immigration policies as seen in some western nations.

It is reassuring that in the face of such a global crisis, Uhuru Kenyatta remains among the moderate and rational leaders putting the rights of the refugees first and foremost.