On Wednesday, Kenya has notified the UN agency concerning the immediate closure of refugee camps. These camps being the main in Kenya, host thousands of refugees from Somalia and partly South Sudan. The UNHCR has two weeks to present a plan on the two refugee camps’ eviction to Kenya’s interiors ministry. Kenya argues that the decision is necessary following the country`s security risk. The two refugee camps closed are the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps based near Somalia’s border.
History of Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps
Dadaab refugee camp is now over thirty years old since its time of establishment. At that time, it serves as the world`s largest refugee camp. The camp hosted more than 500,000 refugees. Many of whom were fleeing drought and violence crisis in neighboring Somalia. Kakuma refugee camp is approaching thirty decades since its establishment in 1992. Kakuma serves as a home to more than 190,000 persons, with a fraction coming from South Sudan.
Reasons for closure of Kenya Refugee camps
The debate about closing down these two refugee camps dates back to the year 2016. The intention was to close down the Dadaab camp due to national security concerns. This was based on evidence drawing the refugees’ involvement in two large Kenyan attacks in 2013 and 2015.
However, the high court rebuked the act, terming it as unconstitutional. Dadaab is geographically positioned near Somalia compared to Kakuma camp. The interior minister for Kenya, Fred Matiang’s affirms that room for further discussions is no longer available. Moreover, he affirms that failure to adhere to the deadline put forward, the refugees will be matched to Somalia’s border.
The decision to close down the refugees comes days after a fallout in Somalia and Kenya’s diplomatic ties. Moreover, the two states have an ongoing dispute over a maritime boundary. The case is ongoing at the International Court of Justice. However, Kenya has made boycott attempts towards the hearing of the case. Nonetheless, the interior minister affirms that the move to close the camps is not in relation to the diplomatic wrangles.
Humanitarian crisis upon closure of the camps
Kakuma and Dadaab camp holds more than 410,000 refugees. It raises the question of how the refugees will survive following the closure of the camps. Additionally, the onset of the third wave of coronavirus puts the refugees at more risk. As a result, the UNHCR calls for Kenya to ensure the protection of the refugees.
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