Synopsis
Ethiopian and Kenyan intelligence agencies have commenced a joint military operation to eradicate a militant group known as 'Shene', or the Oromo Liberation Army, designated as a terrorist organization. This initiative aims to enhance regional stability and address terrorism, trafficking, and other illegal activities along their border.Key Takeaways
- Joint military operation by Ethiopia and Kenya.
- Focus on dismantling the Oromo Liberation Army.
- Targeting terrorism and illegal activities.
- Enhancing regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
- Collaboration among multiple nations for peacebuilding.
Addis Ababa, Feb 5 (NationPress) Intelligence agencies from Ethiopia and Kenya have initiated a collaborative military operation aimed at dismantling a militant organization along their shared border, as stated by Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).
The primary goal of this joint operation is to dismantle 'Shene', also referred to as the Oromo Liberation Army, a militant group classified as a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian government, with the intention of fostering regional stability along the border, according to the statement.
This operation specifically targets activities related to terrorism, contraband trade, and the trafficking of people and arms.
The statement further highlighted that the operation aims to enforce security agreements aimed at combating threats that threaten the national interests of both nations.
NISS reported that combined security forces from Ethiopia and Kenya are actively conducting operations in designated camps of the group within their respective border areas to diminish its influence and enhance peace in the Horn of Africa region, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Kenya's National Police Service stated that the operations target criminals involved in unlawful activities such as arms, drug and human trafficking, illegal mining, inciting tribal disputes, and kidnapping for ransom along the border of the two nations.
Last week, experts convened in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to foster peace in the Horn of Africa region.
The two-day Regional Validation Forum for the Horn of Africa Initiative's Peace and Social Cohesion White Paper brought together over 100 delegates, including security officials from Kenya, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, alongside representatives from international development agencies, to share knowledge and strategies for enhancing peacebuilding.
During his opening remarks, Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Interior and National Administration, emphasized that the forum presents a vital opportunity to strengthen the collective commitment to peaceful and accelerated development, as well as social cohesion in the Horn of Africa.
He acknowledged that the region has collectively resolved to improve the lives of communities in border areas through peace, investment, and development due to its long history of insecurity, marginalization, conflict, fragility, and underdevelopment.
Kenrick Ayot, the national focal point for Kenya at the Horn of Africa Initiative, remarked that sustainable development in border areas cannot be achieved without first addressing underlying issues of insecurity, conflict, and intercommunal violence.
Ayot noted that the Horn of Africa, with its rich cultural diversity and strategic geographic significance, remains central to regional peacebuilding efforts.
