NANCY AGUTU
Image: PSCU
Somalia has rejected the IGAD report that found that Kenya was not interfering in its neighbour’s affairs.
In a statement on Wednesday, Somalia claimed that the report is “biased, partisan, unfair, compromised and predetermined to exonerate Kenya.”
“It is instructive to note that the commission intentionally declined to visit Beled Xaawo on two occasions to witness Kenya’s atrocities against Somalia,” Somalia said.
It further explained that in Mandera Airforce Camp the commissioners were treated to camaraderie to compromise their independence.
“FGS regrets the partisanship portrayed by Djibouti and IGAD under chairmanship of Ismail Guelleh. FGS strongly holds to all its initial accusations against Kenya and will pursue all means to protect her sovereignty,” the country said.
Somalia called for immediate withdrawal of the “baseless and unfair report” and demanded an apology.
“,…failure to which Somalia is considering withdrawing from IGAD,” it added.
Earlier, a fact-finding mission established by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) dismissed allegations from the Somalia government that Kenya was infringing on its sovereignty.
The Kenyan government lauded the report from the fact-finding mission on Wednesday.
According to the mission, the decision by the government of Somalia to severe diplomatic relations with Kenya was uncalled for and has negatively impacted the lives of Somali nationals who seek relief and amenities in Kenya.
Kenya said that it is now evident that the simulated crisis being contrived by Somalia does not advance IGAD’s vision for achieving peace, prosperity, and regional integration.
On Tuesday, a team appointed to investigate claims by Somalia that Kenya is interfering with its internal affairs and arming militia to destabilise the neighbouring country says there is no evidence to confirm that.
The claims had caused a diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia prompting a recall of diplomats.
“The commission considers that these grievances, some of which are longstanding, do not appear to it to be sufficient to justify a diplomatic separation between Kenya and Somalia. It is true that the federal government of Somalia is sovereign in its decisions,” says part of a report by the team.
Source: The Star
