Kenyan President William Ruto said that the Al-Shabaab group will take over the power of Somalia, if the African Union withdraws its forces at the end of this year.
Speaking about his visit to the United States, the Kenyan leader called on Washington to stand up to prevent a situation similar to Afghanistan in Somalia.
“Today, Kenya is held back by security challenges in the Horn of Africa. Before I came here on Saturday, I communicated with the president of Somalia and we have security challenges because of the reduction of ATMIS,” said Ruto.
“Our position is that the United States should intervene and change its direction, otherwise the ATMIS forces will leave and terrorism will take over Somalia. I don’t think that is in anyone’s interest,” said the Kenyan president.
Kenya has thousands of ATMIS and non-ATMIS soldiers in Somalia to fight al-Shabaab.
Kenya has raised the fear that the immediate withdrawal of ATMIS peacekeeping forces will benefit Al-Shabaab, which has not only carried out attacks in Somalia, but is operating in parts of Kenya.
