Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed met with the Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Mohamed Ali Nur, who arrived in Mogadishu on Sunday, April 27, 2014 after he was invited to brief the Prime Minister and Cabinet on the latest developments on the situation of Somali citizens in Kenya.
Somalis in Kenya have been facing hardships due to the ongoing security operation by the Kenyan forces that has resulted in mass detentions. The same operation led to the arrest of the Political Consular at the Somali Embassy in Kenya, Siyad Mohamud Shire, which the Somali Federal Government finds to be a violation of diplomatic convention.
The Somali Cabinet has repeatedly discussed the condition of the Somali citizens in Kenya. The Somali government sent a request to the relevant agencies in the Kenyan government to approach the ongoing security operation in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of innocent Somalis in Kenya.
The Prime Minister’s meeting with the Somali Ambassador follows an Extraordinary Meeting of Cabinet on Saturday evening at which the cabinet discussed the situation of in Kenya.
The Prime Minister, said:
“The Federal Government of Somalia continues to expresses serious concerns over the detention of law abiding Somali citizens in Kenya. The majority of Somalis living in Kenya are peace-loving citizens, with many significantly contributing to the Kenyan economy.
“The Somali government has been in constant communication with the Kenyan Government on these detentions and would like to see the government of Kenya make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent Somali citizens.
“The Somali government also seeks an official response from the Kenyan Government on the arrest of the Somali Consular to Kenya, Siyad Mohamud Shire, which is a serious violation of diplomatic immunity.
“Both our governments share the same security concerns, but the continued detention of innocent Somalis only serves to create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust that will result in dividing our communities.
“We have always had strong relations between our two nations, and we acknowledge and appreciate Kenya’s continued support to Somalia. Both governments must continue to work together in our efforts to secure our nations from the threat of terrorism.”
Source: PM Office
Horseed Media 2014
