Hiiraan Online
Monday, June 6, 2016
.jpg)
DADAAB (HOL) – Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the world’s largest refugee camp in Kenya Monday to highlight his call for the Kenyan government not to shut down the camp which hosts hundred thousands of Somalis.
Last month, Kenyan government said it decided to close the camp, citing ‘reasons of ‘pressing national security’ and that the sprawling camp has become a ‘safe haven’ for terrorist groups like Al Shabab.
During his short visit to the camps, Mr. Mohamud is expected to hold talks with Kenyan officials, including the minister of interior Joseph Nkaissery and members of the Kenyan parliament before his scheduled visits to camps where he is to refugees in IFO 2 camp to take note of their concerns.
The decision by Kenyan government had sent shockwaves across the refugee communities in the camp who have no desire to return to their respective countries that they fled due to unrest and prosecutions they may again face back home.
The development decried by rights groups and aid agencies threatens to uproot hundreds of thousands of refugees in the semi-arid refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya which hosts over 300,000 people.
.jpg)
Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in the world found itself in Kenyan security’s crosshairs after deadly attacks by the Somalia-based Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabab group in recent years.
Established in 1991, the camp largely receives people fleeing conflict in Somalia, as well ethnic people escaping prosecution in some East African countries.
HOL will keep you posted for any further updates about Somali president’s ongoing visit in Dadaab as they come.