Somalia Concerned By Kenyan Withdrawal

Somalia has expressed concern following a recent withdrawal by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from the Busar military base. They have warned that the move could create an opening for Al-Shabaab.

The Busar base has served at the KDF’s command centre in the northern sector of Jubaland. According to reports soldiers destroyed the base before withdrawing. Bases in Bardera and El Adde have also been abandoned. Following the withdrawal from Bardera in 2017 Al-Shabaab re-took the area just days later.

Amison commanders met in Mogadishu last month to agree on steps for the gradual transition and withdrawal of AU troops from Somalia. The transition plan is understood to include phased and conditions-based withdrawals, with the Somali Security Forces taking over priority locations.

The Somali government has asked for extensions to the planned withdrawals after a decision was taken to plan for the drawdown in 2017.