Defence Cabinet Secretary, Honorable Aden Duale, has emphasized the urgent need to reopen three critical junctures along the Kenya-Somalia border. His vision is to reignite the free flow of people and goods, revitalizing relationships and commercial exchanges along this shared boundary.
Duale revealed that the seemingly closed border points, on paper, have inadvertently spawned an underground economy of illegal trade and illicit immigration. He underscored the significance of Somalia, not only as a stalwart ally in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism but also as a key economic collaborator in the region.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale with somalis
These resolute statements were delivered during a high-stakes symposium, where elite delegations from the Kenyan Republic and the Federal Government of Somalia engaged in a diplomatic dance. The objective? To untangle the complex web of bureaucratic red tape that has kept the border locked for a decade.
Undeterred by the impending withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Duale assured that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) remain committed to fortifying Somalia and bolstering the Somali Security Forces (SSF).
“Our presence in ATMIS is geared towards securing Somalia, for a peaceful Somalia translates into a stable Kenya, region, and indeed, the world. The so-called closed border is more permeable than solid, giving rise to an underworld of illicit trade, human trafficking, and narcotics. These undesirable elements inevitably seep into our country,” Duale declared with conviction.
Interior Cs Kithure Kindiki with Somali Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali
Anticipating the reopening of the border, Duale envisions collaborative patrols and a fruitful exchange of intelligence, a sentiment echoed by the Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki. Kindiki has hinted at ambitious plans to remove the ‘closed’ sign from the border within the next quarter, signaling a new era of connectivity and cooperation.
The border junctions in question for reopening are Mandera-Bulahawa in Mandela, Liboi-Dhobley in Garissa, and Kiunga-Ras KamboniLamu Counties. A formal agreement, sealed by Prof. Kindiki and his Somali counterpart, H.E. Abshir Omar, will pave the way for this long-awaited reopening. Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed expressed gratitude to the KDF for their unwavering efforts since 2011 to restore peace and stability to Somalia.
Notable attendees at this high-profile gathering included the Somali Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru, Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Major General Juma Mwinyikayi, and Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome, alongside other esteemed security officials. The collective determination in the room was palpable, hinting at a brighter future where barriers are dismantled, partnerships flourish, and shared progress becomes the new norm.
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