Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has held a meeting with US-Africa Command Commander, General Thomas Waldhauser in Nairobi.
Kenyatta and Waldhauser discussed regional security including the situation in Somalia and South Sudan.
President Kenyatta says Kenya is firmly committed to the cause of finding peace in Somalia, an aspiration that has in the past been negated by lack of adequate capacity, and proper military commands
Kenyatta said Somalia faces further challenges of mistrust and internal politics between the Federal Government of Somalia and regional governments
“I’m saying hope to restore stability in both countries is not lost and partner-states working towards peace in the region will remain committed to the cause”, he said.
The deteriorating relationships between the Somalia and the regional governments is of major concern to us,” said President Kenyatta adding that the conflict is a major security threat to Kenya and the region
He called for structures that will enable the Somalia to work with the regional governments.
The President counselled that for peace and stability to be restored in Somalia, its leadership needs to refocus its attention and energies into addressing issues that cause national divisions and avoid being drawn into partisan distractions.
On his part, General Waldhauser underlined the need for Somalia to strengthen its leadership structures adding that the instability is partly due to indirect interference from certain Gulf countries
We are ready to continue assisting the country so long as the federal government is willing to accept our support”, said Gen Waldhauser who called for neutrality from the Gulf countries that are extending their differences to the Horn of Africa nation.
The differences and clashes in these Arabian countries are playing out in Somalia. We call for their neutrality”, said the top Us military officer.
The General said the US will continue its training programmes for the Somalia National Army (SNA) with the expectation that the Federal Government will work on the requisite structures for the trained personnel to operate effectively.
