Lynace Mwashighadi

Kenya has once again denied involvement in the ongoing conflict in Somalia’s Gedo region, after a recent clash between Somali federal forces and a local militia along the Kenya-Somali border.

In a statement to press in Nairobi, Kenyan government spokesman Cyrus Oguna rubbished claims that Kenya had equipped militias battling the Somali government.

Fighting erupted on Monday between Somali forces and local militias in Beled-Hawo, across the border from the Kenyan town of Mandera.

According to local reports at least 11 were killed.

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Kenya of equipping and hosting the militia before the attack.

Mr Oguna said Kenya was committed to peace in Somalia through its involvement in the African Union mission there but was not interfering with the internal affairs of Somalia.

The fighting and accusations are the latest in a series of escalating incidents involving Somalia’s Jubbaland region.

Mr Oguna’s comments came just a day after Somalia threatened to withdraw from regional body Igad over a report which rejected Somali claims of Kenyan political interference in the region.

Source: BBC