Press release: The Federal Government of Somalia has lost its confidence in the KDF’s ability to support the effort to stabilize and bring about long-term peace and security

Press release (for immediate release)
Mogadishu, Somalia January 28, 2021

1. The Federal Republic of Somalia, as a member state of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and a proponent of IGAD’s vision of achieving sustainable peace and development for the region and mindful of the need to pursue diplomatic means to resolve issues between member states, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) engaged IGAD.

2. On 05/12/2020, the FGS wrote to H.E. Dr. Abdalla Hamdock, the Chairperson of IGAD, bringing immediate attention to Kenya’s covert and overt aggressions towards the Federal Republic of Somalia, and requested IGAD to call for an emergency meeting. Underlying the role of IGAD in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security in the region. It was in this spirit of seeking de-escalation, that Somalia sought redress during the 38th Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government to which it agreed to the establishment of a fact-finding mission.
3. In good faith and in the interest of furthering peace, the FGS accepted the decision by IGAD to mandate the Republic of Djibouti to carry out an impartial, responsible, and above reproach fact-finding mission able to ascertain the facts on the ground.

4. Through the consent of both the FGS and the Government of Kenya, the fact-finding mission began its mandated work on the 9th of January 2021 with a series of visits to Kenya and what could only be termed as a fleeting visit to Somalia.

5. In their own admission, the fact-finding mission’s report preposterously took Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) helicopters under the pretense of finding KDF force build-up on the Somalia-Kenya border. An admission which starkly illustrates the frivolous nature of the report and undermines the credibility, as well as impartiality of the Government of Djibouti and stains that of IGAD.

6. Upon visiting Somalia, the fact-finding mission met with the State Minister of Foreign affairs and agreed to meet with the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Aviation and the Minister of Foreign affairs, as well as to visit Balad Hawo.

7. On the 25th of January, the very militia supported by the KDF with Mortar rounds, attacked Balad Hawo, the flash-point the FGS raised during the 38th IGAD Head of State and Government meeting, resulting in the death of 14 civilians, including women and five children, from the same family. This wanton disregard for international norms by the Republic of Kenya followed shortly after the fact-finding mission deliberately chose to limit its visit to Somalia and renege on the agreement to meet with ministers and visit Balad Hawo. This act undoubtedly has emboldened the Kenyan Government.

8. The perpetrators of the attack were trained, fed and supported by the KDF a fact corroborated on Kenyan TV stations by MPs from the Northern Frontier District, the very people who are a witness to these crimes. Incredulously, the mission was more interested in concealing the whereabouts of this militia to appease the Kenyan Government.

9. Therefore, it should be of no surprise the outcome of the fact-finding mission commissioned by the Republic of Djibouti, is baseless, partial, and shows clear inferences that the Government of Kenya wholly influenced the content of the report.

10. This report has undeniably damaged and undermined the Republic of Djibouti’s impartiality and status as an entrusted partner in the region by undermining the importance of neutrality in conflict resolution and conflict-prevention in the region.

11. The Federal Government of Somalia strongly condemns the acts of violence systemically aimed at terrorizing Somali civilians by the illegal militia being supported and sponsored by the KDF against Somali civilians.

12. The Federal Government of Somalia need not refute this report given the ample evidence publicly available that contradicts its assertions, and the notable witnesses within Kenya that have provided sufficient evidence to the build-up of this belligerent act of desperation by the Kenyan Government.

13. The Federal Government of Somalia finds this report as nothing more than a mouthpiece of the Kenyan Government, which neither damages nor deters the case, commitment, and determination to ensure these acts of deliberate provocations are held to account.

14. The Federal Government of Somalia further condemns the Government of Kenya’s direct interferences in the fact-finding mission report in order to absolve itself from the illegal actions it has undertaken undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

15. The Federal Government of Somalia has lost its confidence in the KDF’s ability to support the effort to stabilize and bring about long-term peace and security given the overt manner that the Government of Kenya has sought to exploit its presence in the country as a pretext to further its national interests. To put it simply, the KDF cannot both support stability and be an instigator of insecurity in Somalia.

16. Finally, the Federal Government of Somalia will continue to defend its borders, by all means necessary and will not tolerate attempts to destabilize the Federal Member States. Concurrently, The Federal Government of Somalia will continue to exercise considerable restraint, call on IGAD to rescind this frivolous report, and to commission a multinational fact finding mission. The federal Republic of Somalia reserves the right to seek redress through diplomatic means via the African Union and if necessary the United Nation Security Council.

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