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{
"id": 287386,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/287386/?format=api",
"text_counter": 210,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Minister",
"speaker": {
"id": 195,
"legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
"slug": "raila-odinga"
},
"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to make a Statement on the security situation along the border between South Sudan and Sudan. I will also talk about the security situation in Somalia. I will also appraise the House and the public at large about the implications of the regional security situation for Kenya, diplomatic and military efforts by Kenya to secure peace and stability in the region and defend its interests. On 4th October, 2011 the Government invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter to act in self defence against Al Shabaab militia in Somalia. We then sent our troops across the border in “ Operation Linda Nchi ”. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) entered Somalia on 14th October, 2011 and commenced “ Operation Linda Nchi” . The KDF has liberated from Al Shabaab control major towns in Somalia such as Garbaahavey, Burgabo, Dobley, Tabda, Bilis Qoogani, Ras Chiamboni and Burgavo. With Al Shabaab’s capability to wage conventional warfare completely degraded, the militia has resorted to guerilla tactics. This includes the use of grenades, improvised explosive devices and sporadic shootings to attack business premises, security forces and members of the public. So far, the militia has attacked Gerille Administrative Post in Wajir South, Mtwapa open air crusade, Machakos Country Bus Station, Ngara Pentecostal Church, Mombasa Hotel, Ifo Police Station in Daadab District and shootings in refugee camps. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya hosted peace talks over several years that culminated in the establishment of the Somali Transitional Federal Charter and subsequently the formation of the successive Transitional Federal Governments. Kenya has continuously provided technical capacity training to the TFG Public Service including the training of its diplomats, immigration and revenue officers, administrators and security forces and provided numerous other forms of support. Kenya remains the base for managing and organizing humanitarian and United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) operations in Somalia and facilitates medical facilities to the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) troops. Comparatively, Kenya carries the largest burden on account of the instability in Somalia than any other country in the world. Efforts to realize a constitutional government in Somalia by August 2012, that is this year, continue to be undermined by partisan and rival clan interest and the influence of Al Shabaab . The KDF, with approval of the Cabinet and this House, joined the AMISOM contributing a total of 4,660 military personnel. The KDF’s integration into the AMISOM externalizes the cost of the mission with guaranteed reimbursement through the AU/UN system. The projected costs stand at Kshs7.5 billion for operational enablers, that is equipment and Kshs3.2 billion for rear operations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya has embarked on aggressive diplomatic offensive to raise international attention and consolidate support for its efforts to secure and stabilize Somalia. In this respect Kenya has been working closely with Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC), the AU, the Indian Ocean Rim Association for regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC) and the Commonwealth. The Istanbul I Conference on Somalia held in May 2010 established a roadmap for the smooth end of transition and the establishment of an all-inclusive and broad-based government in Somalia. The roadmap to a legitimate and representative political dispensation includes all-inclusive national reconciliation, establishment of functioning state institutions and security organs, adoption of a new Constitution and economic recovery programme. The London Conference on Somalia in February this year and the follow up Istanbul II Conference on Somalia to be held at the end of this month and the Rome Conference which should be held in July this year aim to improve on the coordination of international efforts and harmonization of strategy in assisting Somalia to make the transition to a functioning democratic state. Kenya urges the international community to establish a new UN Mission on Somalia to co-ordinate all international efforts on Somalia. Such mission should include a UN peace keeping force post transition. Kenya also hosted the mediation that yielded the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan. Unfortunately, the interlude of peace following the birth of the Republic of South Sudan in July, 2011, now appears threatened with the new outbreak of armed conflict. Although the current tensions revolved around the oil rich area of Heglig, areas of continued disagreement include the demarcation of the North/South border and that of Abyei, Southern Kordofan, South Kordofan (Nuba mountains) and the Blue Nile States. The two countries continue to have disputes over sharing of oil revenues, the waters of the Nile, nationality and citizenships, assets, liabilities and external debts, currency and international agreement obligations. Both countries accuse each other of sponsoring rebels in their respective territories. Kenya supports the AU efforts under the Thambo Mbeki led High Level Implementation panel mediating between the two countries. The UN adopted Resolution 2046 on 2nd May, 2012, calling on both the South Sudan and Sudan to resume negotiations unconditionally."
}