Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted that you all found time to personally participate in this conference on the Horn of Africa crisis.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I warmly welcome you all to our country and to this important Conference.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the international community for supporting this Conference. My special thanks to the United Nations for graciously hosting us in this beautiful complex.
Allow me to also appreciate the World Bank for the financial assistance extended for this Conference, as well those friendly Governments and development partners who played an important role in the organization of this Conference. Indeed, the impressive turn out by world leaders and other dignitaries signifies the international community’s commitment towards helping us resolve the crisis in the Horn of Africa.
This Summit and Conference has been convened against the background of the ongoing drought, which has led to famine and an increased refugee influx that has extended across most of the countries in the Horn of Africa region. You will all appreciate that, apart from the more familiar episodes of the refugee influx and uncontrolled immigration, this Summit has also been called to devote critical attention to the long-term solutions to this problem which has such devastating consequences to the region.
I am sure it is a matter of great concern to all of us that over the last decade, the Horn of Africa has frequently been affected by severe drought. Equally critical, particularly in the recent past, are the effects of Climate Change which pose serious social, economic and environmental challenges, both at the local and global levels.
The recurrence of extreme weather and climatic events in the region, including the on-going drought, is progressively increasing in intensity and frequency on account of
climate change. As a result, a large number of communities have been displaced with grave consequences for their traditional means of livelihood. This has led to increased conflicts for water and other natural resources between communities living within and across national borders. Worse still, climate change has had adverse effects on the key economic drivers, including water resources, agriculture, energy and transport.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last decade or so, a large number of refugees, mainly from Somalia, have continued to cross borders into Kenya and Ethiopia seeking to free themselves from the ravages of hunger and conflict. In Somalia, the situation is aggravated by the country’s ongoing state of violence and general instability. Currently, the influx of refugees into Kenya has risen sharply over the last couple of months, reaching an all time high of over 1,500 per day. The result has been that the modest refugee camp that was built at Dadaab in Northern Kenya over two decades ago to handle about 40,000 people is now home to more than 500,000 Somali citizens, many of whom are fleeing on account of the drought.
This continuous inflow of refugees undermines national and regional security arrangements. With the large number of people arriving at the camps on a daily basis, it has become more difficult to control the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into neighbouring countries. It has also been a challenge to effectively deal with cross-border crimes, illicit trade and other activities, including the entry of undesirable elements.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My Government has been working closely with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development the U.N. system and the World Bank to think through the strategies and possible solutions that we will be discussing today. Let me note, however, that any permanent solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis must be anchored in our respective countries through concrete programmes and action plans with clear timelines to ensure expeditious implementation.
We in the East African Community, an important trading bloc within the region have taken bold steps to create a framework and structures to address issues of food security. The Community has developed an E.A.C. Climate Change Policy, Food Security Action Plan and a Regional Strategy on Peace and Security. I urge my fellow colleagues from EAC partner states to embark on full implementation and coordination of these instruments with a view to mitigating the effects of climate change and improving food security. My Government has embarked on this process, and will fully support any regional initiatives aimed at dealing with drought and its consequences in the region.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I note that the impact of drought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea is particularly grave, I believe the situation in Somalia calls for special attention as the country has approximately 4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. This situation is aggravated by the fact that Somalia remains in the throes of conflict.
The Government of Kenya considers it extremely critical that we collectively find a permanent and sustainable solution to the conflict in Somalia which has persisted for over two decades. In particular, we must devote our attention to a long-term solution for Somalia if we are to succeed in resolving the crisis within the Horn of Africa.
Your Excellencies,
It is gratifying to note that the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia is working with all the countries in the region, as well as the international community, to re-establish a working government and to ensure stability and nationhood. It is my Government’s sincere belief that a firm commitment will come out of this Summit towards supporting the cause of peace and stability in Somalia.
Finally, Excellencies, let me note that resource mobilization efforts to mitigate the effects of the on-going drought situation have, to a large extent, focused on short term emergency needs. It is my Government’s belief that we must now develop a combined regional approach, anchored on comprehensive country programmes, and supported by the international community. Only then can we achieve decisive and long term solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis. I therefore call upon each one of you gathered here to devote yourselves to the task of finding long term solutions to the continental crisis.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Source: State House Kenya
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