Jubaland Forces in Mandera? Sorting Fact from Alarm

Reports that Jubaland forces have crossed into Mandera County, Kenya, have sparked alarm among residents and local leaders. Claims of troops camping in schools and disrupting daily life have fueled fears of insecurity along the fragile Kenya-Somalia border. But conflicting statements from local officials, the Jubaland administration, and Kenya’s Interior Ministry have left the truth shrouded in uncertainty.

The Allegations

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif recently accused Jubaland soldiers of setting up camp at Border Point One Primary School, forcing its closure and disrupting national exams. Senator Ali Roba echoed this concern, stating that Jubaland fighters were visibly present inside Mandera town. According to him, the alleged presence has caused schools to shut down, businesses to grind to a halt, and families to flee in fear of stray bullets and unexploded ordnance.

Jubaland’s Response

Jubaland’s Vice President Mohamed Sayid firmly denied the allegations. Speaking to BBC Somali, he stressed that their troops are stationed near the border but have not crossed into Kenya. He called the claims misleading and urged residents not to panic, insisting that Jubaland respects Kenya’s sovereignty.

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Kenya’s Position

Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed the allegations of a foreign military presence. He explained that security assessments so far indicate that those crossing the porous border are civilians escaping conflict, not armed Jubaland soldiers. Murkomen emphasized that Kenya does not allow foreign military operations on its soil and that security agencies are continuing investigations to verify identities and motives of those who crossed.

Weighing the Truth

At present, the picture remains mixed. On one hand, local leaders are adamant that foreign troops have entered Mandera, disrupting life and creating fear. On the other, both the Jubaland and Kenyan governments deny the claims, with Kenya stressing that no evidence supports the allegations.

The situation in Mandera highlights the fragility of Kenya’s northeastern border and the deep mistrust that continues to surround Somalia’s internal conflicts. While residents’ fears are genuine, there is no verified evidence yet of a Jubaland incursion. For now, the truth lies in a tense middle ground: heightened suspicion, ongoing investigations, and a need for clear communication between Nairobi, Jubaland, and local leaders.