A platoon of Jubaland forces is on its way to Balad-Hawo, Gedo. The journey to the conflict-ridden town comes a few hours after President Farmaajo spoke with President Kenyatta about the need to end hostilities between Kenya and Somalia.
The heavy presence of Somali National Army (SNA) in Gedo has filled the region with tensions. On Monday, a fight broke out along the Kenya-Somalia border. It spilled over into Mandera Town and disrupted normalcy in the area.
On Thursday, a contingent of Jubaland soldiers embarked the battlefront. They made their way towards Mandera Town, where fugitive Jubaland Minister Abdirashid Janan is allegedly holed up. Somalia wants him rearrested and sent back to Mogadishu to answer for his crimes.
Local residents published photos showing the soldiers in their military attire approaching Mandera. The soldiers are traveling via the El-Wak route. With this move, the calmness that had returned to the region is likely to evaporate.