Al-Shabaab Holds Sway Over 60% of Mandera County, Says Governor
Governor of Mandera Mohamed Adan Khalif disclosed that Al-Shabaab militants control sixty percent of the county.
Mohamed asserts that the presence of the militants has hindered the deliverance of services in various regions of the county.
He spoke at a security meeting where leaders urged for concerted efforts to combat the terrorist Al-Shabaab in the North Eastern region.
Regional commissioners and county intelligence committee members from four counties along the Kenya-Somalia border attended the security meeting.
Al-Shabaab’s escalating assault frequency was a topic of discussion amongst leaders from terrorism-affected regions.
The leadership of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties stated that the meeting, in addition to producing resolutions on how to combat Al-Shabaab, called for community sensitization to filter out elements that support the terrorist organization.
“At this meeting, among other topics, we discussed how to educate the local populace against aiding those who seek to create insecurity in our region,” said Ahmed Abdullahi, the governor of Wajir County.
Ruweida Mohamed, member of parliament for Lamu East, added, “The attacks in our counties are not only a threat to security personnel.” This impacts the people, as well as us as leaders.”
Due to Al-Shabaab’s presence in the county, Governor Mohamed stated that his administration is unable to provide public services.
ALSO READ: Double Tragedy Strikes: 3 Lives Lost in Mandera South Assaults
“In Mandera County, for instance, Al-Shabaab controls sixty percent of the territory. We cannot provide services and are confined to the County Administration Building,” he explained.
The meeting takes place in the context of increased Al-Shabaab activity, which has targeted telecommunications towers and roads frequented by security personnel.
The leaders requested assistance from the national government to combat the group.
“While the national government is also focused on addressing national security, we need close coordination to fight Al-Shabaab and terrorism in the region,” Governor Abdullahi stated.
Regional Commissioner for the North-Eastern Region John Otieno stated that community engagement is essential to halting Al-Shabaab’s cross-border attacks.
“We recognize that these assaults are necessitated by the porous and lengthy border we share with Somalia, which has been unstable for a very long time. Therefore, community engagement is necessary,” Otieno stated.
The meeting, at which the threats posed by the terrorist organization were discussed, was conducted in Wajir County, one of the bordering counties with Somalia.
Al-Shabaab Holds Sway Over 60% of Mandera County, Says Governor
