Kenya has agreed to reopen its borders with Somalia after a 12-year closure. The announcement was made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki and his Somali counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh after high-level consultations in Nairobi.
The move will see the reopening of border points in Mandera, Lamu, and Garissa in the coming 90 days. The reopening will take place in phases with Bula Hawa in Mandera opening in 30 days, followed by Liboi (Mandera) in 60 days and Ras Kamboni (Lamu) in 90 days. The government is also considering adding a fourth border post in Wajir County.
The closure of the border in 2011 was due to Kenya launching Operation Linda Nchi to fight the influx of Al-Shabaab fighters into the country. The reopening of the border signals a willingness to improve relations between the two countries.
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The joint statement issued by the ministers stated that their discussions revolved around the need for shared cross-border intelligence and enhancement of law enforcement capacity to man the borders. They also discussed plans to establish modern and secure border infrastructure to facilitate ease of trade, mobility, and movement of people.
Border communities in both countries have a lot in common, and the reopening of the border will help to strengthen cross-border communication. Kenya and Somalia will continue to work together to ensure the stability of the two neighboring nations.
The decision to reopen the border will have a significant impact on the people who live along the border. It will facilitate trade and movement of people, leading to economic growth and improved livelihoods for the communities.
