The Federal government of Somalia has issued a hard hitting statement condemning Kenya’s continued airstrikes ” that kill and maim civilians in Somalia.
In the statement dated 4th June 2021 issued by County’s foreign affairs ministry, the Somalia government say the indiscriminate airstrikes in El – Ade and Hisa – u gur in Gedo region, Jubbaland state on 3rd June is the most recent example of Kenya Defence Forces operation resulting in deaths and maiming of civilians including children and women.
The statement accused KDF of diverting from its obligations under international laws and carrying out strikes without regard to protection of civilians.
The Federal government of Somalia called the actions as becoming ” provocative ” and that such conduct does not serve as one fighting extremism but only ” further radicalize communities in support of extremism ”
Somalia says Kenya continues to carry out the strike in the reckless manner despite raising the same with them and AMISOM.
The statement says Kenya’s inability to uphold the standard to uphold the standard expected of KDF in line with obligations under the international law is the reason behind the deterioration of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Federal government of Somalia says it will raise the increasingly frequent unilateral operations as a standing claim commission with AU and calls upon AMISOM to fulfil its obligations.
Diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia have been severed, with Nairobi recently shutting down air space between the two countries. Kenya forces are part of the African Union Mission in Somalia
