Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:03:07 +0100
Kenya endorses new Somalia state
BY ADOW MOHAMED
February 23, 2015 - 07:00 --
Kenya has endorsed the latest regional state in Somalia, a move that is
likely to offend Mogadishu.
The Central government of the neighboring country has been uncomfortable
with Kenya's "continued fragmentation" of its fragile administration.
Deputy President William Ruto yesterday hosted the president of the new
South West State of Somalia, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan in his Karen home in
Nairobi.
"Kenya would assist in stabilising individual states of the Federal
Government of Somalia as prerequisite to bringing stability to the whole
country and the region at large," Ruto said.
Sharif Hassan is a former Finance minister and speaker of parliament. He was
ousted in 2011 as speaker after he held "unauthorised" talks with the Union
of Islamic Courts which later morphed into the al Shabaab militia group.
He has business interests in Nairobi as well.
Mogadishu has been uncomfortable with Kenya's "crowning" of regional leaders
in the name of Somalia's unity and prosperity.
Last May, Somalia temporarily recalled its ambassador, partly in protest of
Kenya's close association with the Jubaland region.
The Interim South West State of Somalia which brings together the Bay,
Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions has its capital in Baidoa and it borders
Jubaland to the east.
It was inaugurated in November last year in a process supported by
Intergovernmental Authority on Development and United Nations Operations in
Somalia (Unisom).
Baidoa is the headquarters of African Union Mission to Somalia's Sector
Three, manned by Kenyan and Ethiopian forces. It is considered an important
town in the fight against al Shabaab.
The formation of the state in Last November was vehemently opposed by the
Somalia's parliament led by speaker Mohamed Osman Jawaari. There were also
demonstrations in Baidoa opposing the new administration.
The South West state becomes the fourth semi-autonomous state of Somalia.
Others are Puntland, Somaliland and Jubaland.
Somaliland cut links with Mogadishu years ago and is fighting for
international recognition as an independent country. It has democratically
elected its president and is largely considered a success story.
Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad, an analyst with Southlink Consultants and Horn
of Africa political scientist at Kenyatta University said Somalia's lack of
a clear foreign policy towards Kenya has created fodder for former warlords
to claim leadership within their ethnic base.
"While the central governmental of Somalia was aware and actually involved
in formation of this state, the latest visit to Kenya by Shariff Hassan must
leave Mogadishu uncomfortable as it considers it subordination by Hassan,"
he said.
Analysts say Kenya and Ethiopia want local administrative units to support
them against al Shabaab and to avoid any influx of refugees into their
countries. The state is also considered a favourite destination of
repatriated Somalia refugees from Kenya.
Kenya was instrumental in the formation of Jubaland, another self-declared
autonomous region, which it sought to use as a buffer against al Shabaab.
Jubaland is led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) who fought alongside
the Kenya Defence Forces during Operation Linda Nchi in 2011.
He was the commander a militia called the Ras Kamboni brigade. Efforts to
speak to speak to officials at Kenya's Foreign Affairs ministry did not
materialise as phones went unanswered.
Yesterday, Ruto said Kenya "has no other interest in Somalia other than
bringing peace and stability to the country".
"We do not want anybody to take advantage of the fragile situation in
Somalia and incubate people to destabilise the country and the region," he
said.
Ruto said the government is ready to participate in the reconstruction of
Somalia through the Joint Cooperation Commission established in 2013 to
tackle development issues between the two countries.
"As African leaders, we should be in the front line in helping our brothers
and sisters in Somalia," he said.
"We can be limited in capacity but not in willingness to assist."
On his part, President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan thanked Kenya for its
support against al Shabaab.
"We are happy with Kenya's assistance in resolving the problems in Somalia,
and we are urging that Kenyan troops be allowed to traverse the interior of
the country which is still under the control of al Shabaab and help in
liberating it," he said.
He appealed to Kenya to assist in building the capacity of his government
especially in police, the justice system and in intelligence gathering.
<http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/kenya-endorses-new-somalia-state>
WELCOME: DP William Ruto receives the President of South West State of
Somalia Sharif Hassan Sheikh who had paid him a courtesy call at his Karen
residence in Nairobi yesterday. Looking on is Mandera West MP Mohamed
Mohamud.Photo/DPPS
(image/png attachment: image001.png)