Somalia to start talks with Kenya over border dispute

[Deeq A.]

Delegates from  Somalia and Kenya are scheduled to start talks over border dispute on Tuesday in Nairobi.

Kenya started constructing security wall along Somalia-Kenya border after Al-Shabaab militants waged deadly attacks inside Kenya.

Speaking to the media, Gedo governor, Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed said Somalia and Kenya would engage in dialogue to resolve the border dispute between Somalia and Kenya.

“Somali government assigned me to lead a delegation that will hold talks with the Kenyan government. The talks will start on 27th March,” Mohamed said.

The tension has been high since February when Kenya resumed the construction of the wall which stretches from Mandera to Kiunga towns.

The Kenyan government has been maintaining its position to continue the construction of the wall saying the move will curb the cross-border attacks by Alshabab militants.

During a preliminary meeting with Gedo local leaders last week, Mandera County Commissioner, Kutswa Olaka insisted the continuation of the construction noting Kenya-Somalia border posed a threat to Kenya.

” We will neutralize the Al-Shabaab menace with this wall from Mandera to Kiunga in Lamu. so far, only 10km has been built,” said the county commissioner.

Al-Shabaab militants had previously staged deadly attacks that claimed lives of hundreds of people.

In 2015, five terrorists attacked Garissa University where they killed over 148 people, the majority of the victims were students.