Somalia president raises concern of over plans to shut Dadaab refugee camp

Somalia’s president is not happy about Kenya’s resolve to close down one of the world’s largest refugee camps.

The Dadaab camp, home to more than 300,000 Somalis.

President Hassan Sheik Mohamed says forced repatriation is not in the best interest of either country.

#DadaabCampClosure Somalia's President wades into Dadaab refugee Camp closure debate,warns… https://t.co/4U2teXOpwS pic.twitter.com/ScBXLG2vm8

— Collins Hinamundi (@hinamundi) May 26, 2016

He says it is important to agree “on the best way to bring the refugees in an orderly and dignified manner and in accordance with international law,” adding that he “did not want relations with Kenya to be affected.”

Kenya’s deputy president William Ruto earlier this week reiterated the government’s stance on the the closing of the camp, citing insecurity as the reason behind it.

Ruto said the camp is a hotbed for Islamist extremism, and claimed that recent terror attacks on Kenya were planned from Dadaab.

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki- moon said his deputy Jan Eliasson, will be visiting Kenya in the coming days to try to persuade Kenyan authorities to reverse the decision.

Ban says the closure would have devastating consequences.