NAIROBI (Somaliguardian) – Residents in the Kenyan town of Mandera on the border with Somalia have given Uhuru Kenyatta’s government a 48-hour ultimatum for fugitive Jubaland Security Minister and his militias to be expelled, days after Somalia’s federal government accused Kenya of arming Somali rebel militias to launch cross border attacks.
Speaking to BBC Somali, several residents informed about meeting with Mandera County Commissioner and other local officials in which they urged the expulsion of Abdirishid Janan and his militias, whom they accused of inciting conflict that might have dire impact on their lives.
Residents set a 48-hour ultimatum for the government of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta to force militias out of the country, whose presence is feared to destabilize Mandera and nearby towns.
Abdirashid Janan, whose militias were driven out from Gedo region earlier this year following an offensive by federal government troops, is now mobilizing clan militias and troops loyal to Jubaland administration to retake key towns under the control of Somali army.
The militias have dug trenches in farms owned by Mandera residents as tensions continue to escalate between Jubaland administration backed by Kenya and Somalia’s federal government.
This comes as Somali federal government deploys hundreds of troops to Gedo region, who have recently completed training in Eritrea.
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