Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Thursday the country’s troops will continue operating in Somalia until the threat posed by the forces destabilizing the country and the region are neutralized.
Kenyatta reiterated that a country’s prosperity depends on how well it balances the crucial factors of peace, security, governance and sound economic policies and development programs.
“In pursuance of this objective and that of the international community, our troops will continue being part of AMISOM until such a time that this objective has been achieved,” he said.
The president spoke at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County, where he commissioned new cadet officers who have completed a rigorous three-year training program that involves academic as well as character development and field training.
Islamic militant group, Al-Shabab is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government but has also carried out attacks in neighboring Kenya, which has deployed troops as part of AMISOM.
Kenyatta said Kenya’s military training programs are designed to serve the security needs of both the country and the region.
He said some of the most challenging crimes that trouble nations are cross-border in nature and perpetrators shift bases.
The Kenyan leader said the training standards at the Kenya Military Academy are recognized in the region and the whole world. The academy trains cadet officers from several African countries.
“The spirit of joint training reflects the true spirit of regional security partnership as enshrined in the East Africa Community Treaty,” Kenyatta said.
He said the regional dimension of the training by the academy is informed by the fact that the threats to security posed by terrorist groups and related international crimes know no borders.
“Whenever these groups are pursued, they quickly shift their operations either within the boundaries of nations or beyond,” the president said.
He said Kenya has always made it a priority to boost regional security and that is one of the reasons it has been involved in stabilizing countries affected by conflict.
He said that is why military officers are encouraged to observe personal courage as they protect the country despite adversities they might face.
