Igad gives Kenya clean bill of health as Somalia protests

 

 

Kenya has reiterated commitment to regional peace and security amidst the tiff with Somalia which saw the latter serve diplomatic ties last December.

This comes even as Nairobi vowed not be drawn into the reckless campaign by Mogadishu whose "sole intent is creation of artificial fissures for parochial and domestic political ends at the expense of regional peace and security."

Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed the report by the Fact Finding Mission that was established by the Assembly of Igad Heads of State and Government to probe claims by Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of internal interference in its affairs.

The report by Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh after fact-finding mission in Kenya exonerates Nairobi from any wrongdoing as alleged by Faarmajo’s administration. “The fact finding mission affirms the fact that the allegations by Somalia against Kenya are wholly unfounded,” reads a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somalia has, however, threatened to withdraw from Igad over the commission's findings which it has dismissed as biased and predetermined to exonerate Kenya. “Igad has overwhelmingly demonstrated incapability to be a fair and independent arbiter,” a statement by the Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Somalia accused Igad of intentionally declining to visit Beled Xaawo where it claims Kenya is arming and training militia.