Border Fence: Kenya Annexes More Somali Territory
The Kenyan Government has recently announced that it will build a fence along its porous border with Somalia. The fence, in theory, will to keep Alshabab out of Kenya. As any sovereign state, Kenya has the right to erect walls and protect itself citizens. What it does not have right to is build that wall within Somalia’s borders.
According to the former Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Abdillahi Mohamed Ali, the Government in Nairobi has not informed him of this development. It seems the Somali Federal Government (SFG) was not consulted either. The issue was not also brought up when the Somali Foreign Minister recently visited Kenya.
As it stands now, Kenya has already commenced building the fence. Communities at the Somali-Kenya border have already reported the Kenyan builders moving into the Somali side of the border. Kenya wants to build the fence inside Somalia, 2km away from the international recognized border.
Unlike the border between Ethiopia and Somalia, the Somali-Kenya border is clearly delineated. There are no ambiguities or legal issues that can muddy the water. Kenya wants to create a dispute out of thin air. This is not the first time that Kenya has tried this. It already laid claim to large swathes of the Somali sea.
The lack of response from the Somali Government is an abdication of its responsibilities. It is beyond comprehension why SFG has not spoken on this issue. Like any other Somali, I do realize and appreciate the Somali Government is a weak institution. It does not have military and political clout needed to ensure Somali sovereignty. However, what the Somali Government has on its side is its citizens and the international law.
The Government and people must address this issue before it becomes a full blown crisis; one that might become a manufactured dispute, much like the Somali sea issue. Considering the current condition of the Somali Government, Somali citizens must fill the void that was vacated by the State.
As I write this article, I am following the news from Adado; the formation of the Central State. The Federalization process is in full swing. I mentioned this bit of news not because I am for or against federalization. I brought it up because I am always astonished the sort of discussion this issue generates; land ownership.
It seems that land ownership is vastly important when the discussion is between Somalis. We disagree on who owns what land. We accuse one another of stealing each other’s territories. We call for war to settle land issues. Passions run high and faces turn red.
It seems so strange that our people will attach such importance to the land and yet ignore when our borders and waters are being violated. I ask my people to think a little deeper. Your passion for your village, town or region can be extended to your country. Your love for your clan and region can align with your love for country.
We are admittedly a society that think in terms of “tolnimo”. If you indeed believe in tolnimo and truly care for your tribe; then you will ultimately care for the only tribe that mattered, the Somali tribe.
The Somali tribe is being humiliated everywhere in the world. It is time that we rid ourselves of dignity, poverty and pity. It is time we protect our land and people. It is time for the Somali tribe to rise to the occasion and say no more.
Abdi Warsame
ciyaal.bilaajo@hotmail.com