Kenya, Somalia agree to open common border in phases
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenya and Somalia resolved Monday to re-open the border between them within 90 days, more than 11 years after its shutdown, Interior Ministry chief said here.
The Interior ministers from Kenya and Somalia agreed to carry out the border re-opening in phases within the next 90 days with effect from 15 May 2023.
Kenya initially ordered its border with Somalia shut in 2007 to stop the flow of refugees from the Horn of Africa nation but ordered an indefinite shutdown in 2011 when it commenced a hot-military pursuit operation against the Al Shabaab militants in Somalia.
The military operation, Linda Nchi, was later transformed into an African Union peacekeeping operation.
Kenya's Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the Mandera-Bulahawa border point in Mandera County would be reopened within 30 days.
The reopening of the Liboi-Harhar/Dobley border-point within the Garissa County in Kenya would take place within 60 days. The Liboi border crossing is located about 40 km outside the series of refugee camps in the larger Garissa region in Kenya's north Eastern region.
Kenya has set a 90-day period for the opening of the Daresalam in Kiunga-Ras Kamboni border, Lamu County, along Kenya's vast coastal region.
A fourth border point in Wajir County will be considered for opening at a later date, the interior ministry said.
"Kenya and Somalia will continuously engage to enhance cross-border experiences, activities and engagements, keeping in mind the emerging security trends and dynamics that transcend national, regional and continental boundaries," the Interior Ministry Cabinet Secretary said after a meeting with his counterpart in Somalia.
The high level-Ministerial meeting at the Ministry's headquarters was attended by Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale.
Somalia's Minister for Internal Security Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali and Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Minister for Defence and foreign affairs, Abshir Omar Jama attended the meeting.
Somali ministers appreciated the security challenges posed by cross-border crime and threats, including violent extremism, organized crime, irregular migration and transnational terrorism.
The two governments agreed to strengthen cross-border communication and information sharing, develop modalities of addressing cross-border challenges and enhance border infrastructure, management and capacity. -0- PANA AO/RA 15May2023
