This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
On November 30, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed that Kenyan troops in Somalia would not be returning home soon, despite growing calls for withdrawal.
The military campaign in Somalia, which saw Kenyan troops capture the port city of Kismayu from Al-Shabaab insurgents, was launched in response to threats from across the border, including terrorist incursions and kidnappings.
While the mission has come at a great cost, President Kenyatta emphasized that it would be foolhardy to disengage before the work is completely done, as this would create a vacuum that would favor the enemy.
The international community, led by the United Nations, has been working to restore stability in Somalia through the African Mission in Somalia (Amisom). Kenya has contributed troops to this mission, which was created by the African Union's Peace and Security Council in 2007.
Kenya's involvement in Somalia is crucial, given the two countries' shared border and the fact that hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees have taken refuge in Kenya. By helping to stabilize Somalia, Kenya can secure its resources and promote national development in the region.
