Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kenya Committed to the Somalia Peace Process

Kenya’s Ambassador to the Republic of Somalia Ambassador James Mulinge has expressed his confidence in a future stable Somalia. In an interview with the Public Affairs and Communication team, the envoy said that increasing international assistance will bear fruit in Somalia in the near future. Ambassador Mulinge, who is a retired military General, noted that the deteriorating security situation in Somalia is a global concern, which has persisted for a long time, causing widespread suffering particularly of women and children.

Ambassador Mulinge was positive that in spite of the recent upsurge of insecurity in Somalia, peace will eventually prevail. The diplomat’s statement comes at the wake of heightened chaos in the war-torn country, resulting in the death of 16 people on January 27 2010. A battle between pro-government militia and hard-line Islamist fighters in the central Galgadud region left 34 other people badly injured.

Reports from Somalia indicate that the conflict pitted Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca militia against an alliance of Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabaab in the towns of Owsweyne and Warhole.

Kenya, Ambassador Mulinge said, will always support peace processes that provides for full participation of interested parties. He reiterated Kenya’s resolve to lead the process, and provide logistical assistance to international actors in the Somalia peace process.

This will not be the first time Kenya is getting involved in the Somalia peace process, which it brokered in 2004. After its formation, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was hosted in Kenya for several months before they finally relocated to Somalia. Currently the TFG, under President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, is at war with Harakat al-Shabaab militia which is bent on overthrowing it.

Ambassador Mulinge observed that the international community is now committed to assist Somalia back to democracy.

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