Somali policemen keeping an eye out for suspicious activity at a checkpoint in the country's capital Mogadishu on May 3, 2013. Kenya plans to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. PHOTO/AFP

Kenya is planning to reopen its embassy in Mogadishu to intensify its diplomatic engagement with Somalia.
Kenya’s special envoy to IGAD Mohammed Affey said that the decision to re-establish the Kenyan mission inside Somalia will help in rebuilding the war torn nation currently planning to hold its first democratic elections in 2016.
“We know it is a risky affair but one that is noble because it will help in terms of engagement to help the Federal Government of Somalia implement the roadmap to 2017 which include the planning and delivery of the Somali’s first democratic elections,” Mr Affey said.
The United Kingdom and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees have already returned to Somali despite incidences of insecurity.
“We must do all that can be done to restore normalcy in Somalia-that means we must take some sacrifices-including setting base there because a stable Somalia will mean as stable region,” Mr Affey explained.
The Kenyan embassy to Somalia has been operating from Nairobi-at the NSSF building and many other Foreign missions have engaged Somali from their Nairobi missions due to insecurity in Mogadishu.
Most Somali leaders including ministers and members of parliament have homes in Nairobi and in Djibouti where they operate from due to unreliable security situation in Mogadishu.
The Kenyan envoy, who was addressing the press at the Serena hotel in Nairobi also urged the international community to intensify donor funding to government institutions in Somali warning that funding of the civil society was undermining public trust on government.
“We want a paradigm shift in terms of funding by donors –we want them to start channeling funds through the state so as to help strengthen the new federal government,” Mr Affey said.
Mr Affey said that IGAD is currently assessing the implementation of the roadmap to 2017 which is expected to strengthen public institutions in Somali.
He said that the international community should help the federal government to build capacity and to strengthen their hold in reclaimed and liberated areas of Somali ahead of the elections.
“As IGAD we are looking forward to a situation where the people of Somali will this time round have an opportunity to elect their own President and other leaders as they participate in strengthening their own institutions and democracy,” he said.
The diplomat warned that Kenya and other countries must help Somali to totally eradicate Al Shaabab no matter how long it takes.
“We must put in place a quick counter insurgency measures so as to have the Al Shaabab and other militias operating in Somalia completely eradicated,” Mr Affey said.