https://www.dw.com/en/kenya-somalia-border-al-shabab-al-qaeda-attacks-militants/a-76100159
Summary:
Since 2011, the land borders between Kenya and Somalia have been closed; in 2023, they were going to reopen the border until Somalian insurgency group Al-Shabab killed multiple civilians and officers in Kenya.
Kenyan president Ruto recently announced that the border will reopen soon, and many people from both countries are excited. Especially because traders on both sides are interdependent, and the open border will make commerce much easier during a time of drought and severe resource depletion.
The opening of the border is good for both countries’ international diplomacy and economy. An open border could bring in lots of tourism to once-famous places like Mogadishu. However, an open border brings up questions regarding security, banditry, etc. In response to this, there will be increased, cooperative security forces along the border, and the African Union is going to put multiple Somalian cities under government control.
Class Connection:
This article connects to the class because it relates to themes regarding territorial sovereignty, regional interdependence, and economic diversification.
Analysis:
This article is important because it highlights how territorial sovereignty, even though we think of it as a means of individuality and independence, is a team effort that requires all parties to comply with global norms/understandings. The border reopening is great, but it also leaves room for vulnerability, which is why it’d be understandable if in a year or two they close the border again, especially if neither country sees an increase in commerce like they’d hoped for. In order for this opening to remain stable and successful, the Somali government has to keep internal rebel groups in check so that they don’t go breaching Kenya’s authority.
It’s also interesting to note that Kenya is not just helping Somalia’s economy by opening the border but also their diplomatic capabilities because Kenya agreed to bring Somalia into various regional blocs which blocked them before. This will likely strengthen their relationship going forward and improve collective security because it increases institutional cooperation and reduces the collective incentive to sabotage one another (allowing them to take a unified approach when combating special threats like Al-Shabab).
Although they will be working together more closely in the future, the article mentioned that the AU would be keeping tabs on Somalia and place AU military forces in certain cities to ensure stability. This is a great move for right now because we’re at a critical point between survival and growth, and in order to ensure things stay on par we have to maintain some control while also not doing it so much that a state’s sovereignty is violated and they retaliate. For a while, AU forces will be present more so as a placeholder and a reminder to Somalia to keep their opposition in check until a mutual understanding between Kenya and Somalia develops (where the border is relatively safe and they’re both financially benefitting).