Garissa elders express concern over Somalia’s political instability

FILE: state leaders have been at loggerheads with the federal government and have since declared no-cooperation with Mogadishu.

By Fauxile Kibet

NAIROBI: Elders from Garissa county in Kenya’s north east have expressed concern over the continuing political instability in Somalia saying that it poses great danger to Kenya’s stability.

The elders from Daadab and Liboi border towns and who share common ties with their Somali keen living across the border also warned that President Mohamed Farmajo should not interfere with the upcoming elections in Federal states.

They said that such interference will further worsen the political turmoil in Somalia and may cause serious security lapses that may spill over to Kenya.

The development follows ongoing disputes between the federal government and member states in Somalia.

The elders, who were speaking to journalists in Garissa town after holding a closed door meeting said that they were not ready to host more refugees in their land which they said had suffered a great deal from the after-effects of turmoil in Somalia.

“The ground in and around the expansive Dadaab refugee camps which is home to over 300, 00 refugees is bare and can barely sustain any livelihood,” Muhamed Dekow.

He added, “We are working with the UN bodies to restore the environment and a thought of a possible refugee influx sends chills down our spines.”

Dekow however said that the leaders and residents of the area appreciates efforts made by Jubaland president Sheikh Ahmed Madobe in fighting the Al-Shabaab along the Kenya-Somalia border which has improved security and enabled business to thrive.

KENYA’S ROLE

The elders called on Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene by meeting his Somali counterpart Mohamed Farmajo so as to initiate talks with leaders of federal states as they prepare for elections next year.

Mohamed Duale, a businessman in Garissa town said that the border town had seen its fair share of insecurity and would not want to see it get worse.

He added that residents of Garissa supports efforts to stabilize Somalia and will cooperate with security agents in identifying Al-shabaab elements living in their midst.

In the recent months, president Farmajo has come under criticism over claims of attempting to influence the outcome of upcoming elections in the Federal states of Somalia.