The Somalia crisis must be resolved quickly to save Kenya from further trouble, the UN has said.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, while praising Kenya for its efforts in ensuring peace and stability in Somalia, said the UN was aware that the country was suffering.
Mr Ban said Kenya’s push for resettlement of more than 600,000 refugees who live on its soil should be supported by the international community.
“When I visited Daadab refugee camp last year, I witnessed a very sad situation where 600,000 people are crowded in one place. That population alone is more than that of some countries,” he said.
“I could feel the huge challenge Kenya was facing and I sympathized with the President at that time because of instability in Somalia.”
Speaking during a meeting with Deputy President William Ruto at UN offices in Yokohama, Japan, Mr Ban said UN would support efforts to resettle the displaced families.
“I urge you (Kenya) to focus on helping Somalia in the efforts to entrench peace, democracy and governance,” he said.
Mr Ruto thanked UN for elevating the Nairobi office, saying Kenya and Africa were grateful for the move, and that the government would ensure that UN staff are safe.
He said Kenya was committed to the peace process in Somalia so that it could concentrate on its internal issues.
Mr Ban said climate change challenges facing the world needed to be addressed by all stakeholders both at regional and international levels.
Source: Daily Nation