Kenya has announced the postponement of the planned reopening of its border with Somalia following a series of attacks attributed to the radical Islamist group Al-Shabaab.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki made the announcement, stating that the phased reopening of the Mandera, Lamu, and Garissa border posts, which was initially scheduled for May, could not proceed as planned.
The decision comes in the wake of deadly incidents near the border, including the deaths of five civilians and eight police officers in separate attacks last month. The Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Shabab has been held responsible for these tragic events.
During a visit to the Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya, near Somalia, Minister Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to address the recent surge in terrorist attacks and cross-border crimes before moving forward with the reopening of the border.
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The Kenya-Somalia border was officially closed in October 2011 due to ongoing attacks by Al-Shabaab, who have been engaged in an insurgency against the federal government in Mogadishu for over 15 years.
While both countries expressed their intention to reopen the border during talks in July 2022, the plans never materialized.
The May announcement of the gradual reopening of three border crossings raised hopes, with Mandera expected to reopen within 30 days, followed by Garissa within 60 days and Lamu within 90 days. However, the recent attacks have prompted a reassessment of the situation.
Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat, fighting against Somalia’s federal government and seeking to establish Islamic law in the country.
Kenya, which intervened militarily in southern Somalia in 2011 and participated in the African Union force in Somalia (AMISOM), has also been targeted by the extremist group, which actively recruits local youth.