NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 27 – Kenya on Monday shrugged off threats by the radical Somali Islamic group, Al-Shabaab, that it would launch incursions into North Eastern province.
North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Kimeu Maingi is quoted saying the Somali militia and Al-Qaeda had threatened to invade Kenya and introduce Sharia Law.
However, Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka said Kenya was ready to defend its territorial boundaries.
“Kenya is a sovereign country and no person or country will come and threaten the government. We have the capacity and ability to stave off any incursions from anybody else,” he said.
The Al-Shabaab are Muslim extremists, with strong ties to Al Qaeda. They support the imposition of strict Sharia Law throughout Somalia.
Mr Onyonka said that the threats would not deter Kenya from ensuring that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia is successful in achieving its agenda.
The Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister further called on the militia and the transitional government to consider dialogue as a means of resolving their disputes
“We hope the group will resolve conflict diplomatically; going to war will not help anyone,” he advised.
“The TFG is the only way out and we (the international community) will not accept any other way. It is in the best interest to ensure peace and security of the Somalia,” said Mr Onyonka.
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