Ruto Sets Timeline for Withdrawal of KDF Soldiers From Somalia

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Nairobi | May 3, 2023 – President William Ruto, on Tuesday, May 2, announced that his government will begin withdrawing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers from Somalia in 2024 to allow the country to stabilise.

Speaking during the launch of the State of Migration in East and Horn of Africa Report at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the Head of State noted that the number of troops serving in Somalia would be reduced.

“We are working with our brothers and sisters in Somalia. Even as the drawdown of the troops is expected by next year, we have a concrete plan on how Somalia is going to move on as a state,” the Head of State stated.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers are among those deployed to Somalia beginning on October 16, 2011, to pursue the insurgence group Al Shabaab.

President William Ruto addressing Kenyans on Labour Day Monday, May 1, 2023
PCS

Part of the plan, the President revealed, was that various nations were working with Somalia before fully withdrawing the troops.

KDF soldiers were deployed in Somalia during former President Mwai Kibaki’s regime. After a month Kenyan government agreed to work under the African Union Mission in Somalia.

The troops were later formally integrated into African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on February 22, 2012, after the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2036.

Besides withdrawing troops from Somalia, Ruto also warned warring generals in Sudan noting that the conflict would destroy the country.

He, however, vowed to support the country to regain its political stability.

“Also, many of us are affected by the challenge that we have in Sudan at the moment and as a region, as a continent and as a people, our message to the generals in Sudan is unequivocal.

“They have no business whatsoever destroying the hard-earned years of developing Sudan,” Ruto insisted.

So far, 409 Kenyans have been successfully evacuated from the war-torn country.

Ruto also vowed to aid the Democratic Republic of Congo to regain its political stability. This came after he deployed KDF soldiers to DRC to help foster peace.