Kenya to reopen three Somalia border posts shut over Shabaab attacks

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has today unveiled a plan to reopen the official border crossings between Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, which have been partially or fully closed in recent years due to security issues.
CS Kindiki who made the sentiments during a press conference with Somalia’s Minister of Security at the steps of Harambee House said the project will improve socio-economic development between the two countries.
Kindiki further said the project which will commence in the next 90 days from today aims to find a lasting solution to the perennial insecurity and instability in the Horn of Africa nations.
“Today we have had important engagements this Monday morning with the Somalia delegation with the view of re-opening the three border points between the two countries and plans are underway to reopen three border points between Kenya and Somalia, after 12 years of closure due to the threat of terrorism,” Kindiki said.
The meeting with his Somalia counterpart Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali (Doodishe) also deliberated on a roadmap for reopening the three border points to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the two countries.
Sheikh Ali on his part said the border reopening will address cross-border crime, trade facilitation, mobility dynamics, strategic and operational information exchange, and strategies to promote greater coordination and collaboration between Kenya and Somalia on cross-border initiatives.
The bilateral meeting brought together six ministers from the two countries including Kindiki, and Sheikh Ali as well as cabinet secretaries Aden Duale (Defence) alongside their Defence and Foreign Affairs counterparts from Somalia.
Today’s meeting between Kindiki and Sheikh comes after a meeting between retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in July last year, where the duo announced a series of modalities to address security concerns along the shared border between the two countries
Kenya closed its official border posts with Somalia in 2012 to hinder Al-Shabab’s movements. The border closures included the Mandera border post as well as Lamu, Wajir and Garissa border crossings. However, earlier this year Kenya announced it is reopening its border with Somalia and Ethiopia.
The three border points set to be reopened in the next 90 days include Mandera/Belet Hawo (Belethawa), Liboi-Harhar/Dhobley and Kiunga/Ras Kambon borders.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta closed down the said borders back in 2011 at the height of constant invasion and attacks masterminded by the Al-Shabaab terror group.