Statement on Refugee Camps in Kenya

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12th May 2016
Press Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion of the Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS) wishes to express its grave reservation regarding the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kenya to disband the Department of Refugee Affairs (DRA) with effect from 6th May, 2016 and to begin working on mechanisms for the closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.

This decision will negatively affect the majority of Somali refugees who are housed in the two camps and will make the threat of terrorism worst, not better, given the volatile situation this sudden decision and the proposed subsequent actions will cause.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express at the outset the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s gratitude to the people and government of the Republic of Kenya for hosting Somali Refugees for more than two decades and having been equally involved in the mediation and the search for peace in the Somali conflict.

Today, there is an established, agreed and effective mechanism in the form of the Tripartite Agreement that serves as the blue print for positive partnership between Kenya, Somalia and the UNHCR for the safe and dignified resettlement of Somali refugees in their home country. Abandoning this will be a legal and moral failing on the part of Kenya.

Somalia is turning the corner and we are partnering with Kenya to confront global terrorism. However, the collective regional success of this mission depends on intelligence and resource sharing as well as partnership and mutual trust. Expelling vulnerable Somali refugees at a time Somalia is making internationally recognized progress towards stability and institution building, will only increase the risk of insecurity in the region.

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