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Kenya Denies Role in Somalia's Internal Conflict

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - Kenya has denied accusations by Somalia that it is stirring
   up a conflict between the Somali federal government and Jubaland state,
   where fighting killed more than 20 people this week. Somalia insists
   its neighbor is behind the political tension and insecurity.

   Speaking to reporters in Nairobi Thursday, Kenya government spokesman
   Cyrus Oguna said his country has nothing to do with the tension between
   the Mogadishu administration and Jubaland federal state.

   "As a country, we want to state very clearly and categorically that we
   will not accept to be drawn into the internal politics of Somalia. We
   are therefore calling on all Somali leadership to desist from dragging
   Kenya into their domestic issues. We will, however, continue to push
   for peace and therefore urge all leaders in Somalia to create an
   environment that will facilitate the resolution of the conflict through
   dialogue," he said.

   On Monday, Jubaland forces and Somali government troops clashed in the
   town of Beled Hawo, on the Kenya-Somalia border.

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