Photo: The Daily Nation The Islamic administration of Al-Shabaab that controls Somalia's southern regions of Jubba has on Sunday declared holy war on Kenya over reports that Nairobi is training Somali troops.
Sheikh Hussen Abdi Gedi, Al-Shabaab's second in command in the southern port city of Kismayo said his group has received reports of planned offensives from the Kenyan side, urging the regions' residents to prepare for holy war.
"Kenya has prepared troops that comprise of Kenyans and Somalis, who are trained to attack and take over the regions. They are planning to attack us on the land, sea and air. We are urging people to be ready and defend our land," he told Al-Shabaab's Andalus radio on Sunday.
His sentiments come as Kismayo, the lucrative southern Somali port city that fuels insurgent activities across the war-torn country, witnesses a low flying military planes which raised high tension.
The border between the two countries has also seen the enormous presence of Kenyan troops, who are patrolling with the battle wagons.
It is the first time that the rebel group has declared jihad against Kenya since capturing the bordering region.
However, Kenya denied reports of its involvement in the training of Somali soldiers, saying it has nothing to do with the Somali issues.
Sources quoted by Garowe Online said Nairobi trained in its soil some 2,500 troops, who are ready to join the Somali government's offensive against Al Shabaab rebels.
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If the above allegations are true , the Kenyan Government is absolutely wrong to be meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign fellow republic. The Somali quagmire must be address and dealt with by Somalis themselves , with the assistance of neighbors , the AU and the international community , and the U.N as neutral chief negotiator . No matter how hard it maybe , we Africans must strive for peaceful and non- violent solutions to our problems , rather than resorting to guns and war all the time . Anytime there is chaos and anarchy in any place , human development and progress is dastardly and negatively reverse beyond contemplation . In addition , the Kenyan Government i believed , have more seroius issues within its borders to tackle than be the mantle bearer for order and governance in Somalia . The similitude is like the 'pot calling the kettle black' . I hope these allegations are false and that the Al- shabbarb militia will apply moderation for peace sake .
What is happening in Somalia is unacceptable. The Somalis are a pain in the backside and must be told in no uncertain terms. They are a source of pirates, they are a source of Alquaeda millitants and through Somalia, I can see Osama bin laden coming to Africa. I dont want him there and I dont want Islamisation of Africa. I ask the kenyan government, Tanzanian government and the Ugandan government to come together and deal a death blow to Somalians once and for all until they learn to govern themselves. We cannot have this happening in Africa and do nothing about it. I support Kenyas actions and it must be decisive. Please dont do a piece meal job. Route them out once and for all. The way Amin was dealt with. I will write to all the respective governments and personally lobby for a clean up of Somalia. That is a very good country and we have condoned lawlessness in that country for a long time.
When an individual or nation cannot contain internal problems, and so allow their problems to be the problems of their neighbors, then the neighbors have EVERY RIGHT & OBLIGATION to IMPOSE a solution on a problem that has now become theirs!
Kenya & Ethiopia have a right and OBLIGATION to impose a solution on Somalis; because Somali problems have become an UNINVITED burden on their neighbors.
For instance, Somali refugees SHOULD NOT be housed in Kenya! No refugees should be imposed on neighbors, ANYWHERE; because they are likely to become big problems later! See the case of Tutsis & Hutus in Congo.
Instead, Kenyans should create a safe haven INSIDE SOMALIA, for the Somali refugees!