The United States has raised concern over the Kenyan government’s declaration last week that it will close the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.
The Barack Obama administration joined the United Nations and other human rights groups in urging Kenya to rescind its decision to shut down the refugee the camps “within the shortest time possible.”
“We call on Kenya to uphold its international obligations and not forcibly repatriate refugees,” State Department Press Relations Director Elizabeth Trudeau said in a statement emailed to the Nation.
The US also called on Kenya to continue cooperating with the UN and the Somalia government in carrying out a 2013 agreement on voluntary return of refugees.
“The United States strongly supports the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity, when and where conditions are appropriate in their countries of origin, including in Somalia and South Sudan,” the State Department added.
The US also said it “remains committed to working with Kenya and international partners to find durable solutions for refugees.”
Fewer than 10,000 of roughly 420,000 Somalis living in Dadaab and Kakuma have so far returned to their homeland in accordance with the tri-partite agreement.
On Monday, the UN refugee agency said conditions in Somalia and South Sudan remain unsuitable for large-scale return of refugees.
In the May 6 announcement, Interior Ministry Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho cited “Kenya’s national security interest” as the reason behind the decision to close the two camps.
Human Rights Watch said in its response that Kenyan officials “have not provided credible evidence linking Somali refugees to any terrorist attacks in Kenya.”
Last Friday’s announcement was not the first time the Kenyan government has threatened to repatriate refugees.
Deputy President William Ruto issued an ultimatum 13 months ago following Al-Shabaab’s attack on Garissa University College.
