Stabilise Somalia now, Raila urges the world

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned that terrorists operating out of Somalia can destabilise Africa if the international community does not act fast to stabilise Mogadishu.

Mr Odinga on Friday told the Second Istanbul Conference on Somalia in Turkey that external terrorists could link up with their counterparts in West and North Africa to plunge the Continent into chaos.

He said that despite recent military successes, terrorism emanating from Somalia remains a real threat to Eastern Africa and to Somalia itself.

“The recent merger of Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda, and the possibility of the East African terrorists networking with those in North and West Africa, including Boko Haram, presents a new and more dangerous theatre for terrorist activities in Somalia and beyond. It is the more reason we must work overtime to get Somalia up and running again,” he said.

The PM paid tribute Kenya’s and Africa Union troops for their efforts to liberate Somalia from Al-Shabaab and urged the international community to build on the successes.

“We must agree on time-bound programmes to consolidate peace in Somalia, to support a legitimate and inclusive political process to jump-start recovery and reintroduce the rule of law,” he said.

He called for the urgent development of a Somali national security forces so that they can take control of liberated areas.

He called on the people of Somalia to take charge of their destiny, promising that Kenya would stand with them to the end.

He said Kenya supports Igad’s efforts to reconcile all political forces and other stakeholders in southern Somalia to help restore order.

Mr Odinga said Kenya was ready to go the extra mile to help train administrators, security, military and workers, as it did with South Sudan and Namibia.

The PM is expected back in Nairobi on Saturday morning.