Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abdelh
Published on 2024-04-02 22:40:55
Kenya has decided not to reopen its border posts with Somalia due to security concerns, especially with the upcoming withdrawal of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, mentioned that the decision aims to secure all entry and exit points in Kenya.
This decision follows an announcement made nine months ago by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and his Somali counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali to reopen the borders after a 12-year closure that started in 2011. The border between Kenya and Somalia stretches for about 800 kilometers, making it challenging to secure.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Omollo highlighted that Somalia, being a new member of the East African Community (EAC), should benefit from seamless trade and movement like other EAC member states. Plans to open several border points with Somalia are still in place, but the timing is being reconsidered due to security concerns.
The withdrawal of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (Atmis) troops is expected to pose additional security challenges. Kenya is waiting to see the impact of the drawdown and plans to make the border points fully functional in the future.
Opening the land border posts would enhance trade and help address issues like illicit trade. Dr. Omollo emphasized the need to increase trade volume by reopening the closed border points. The Bomas of Kenya will host the National Border Management Conference to discuss strategies to improve border efficiency and address challenges in border management.
Efficient operations at border points are crucial for Kenya, which shares borders with five countries. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is planning to deploy drones to support operations at land border points. The government is also investing in technology such as body scanners and cameras for security purposes.
In 2023, 40% of crimes at Kenya’s border points were related to fake documents and identification. The country’s new visa-free regime has helped reduce such incidents by making it difficult for people to obtain travel documents. The government is also focused on curbing illegal movement and trafficking to prevent revenue loss.
Community involvement through Peace Committees is vital for addressing security challenges associated with border movement and illicit trade. The government is collaborating with partners like IOM, the UK, and US governments to implement community engagement programs in border counties. By adopting technology and engaging communities, Kenya aims to improve border management and enhance security.
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