News
Kenya gives UNHCR ultimatum to devise roadmap on closing refugee camps
Kenya said on Wednesday that it had issued a two-week ultimatum to the UN refugee agency to devise a roadmap on the definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in the northern region.
Fred Matiang’i, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government told the UNHCR that there was no room for further negotiations on the closure of Dadaab refugee camp which mainly hosts refugees from Somalia, and Kakuma camp which hosts refugees from South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Matiang’i made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with UNHCR representatives in Nairobi.
“CS Matiang’i issues UNHCR with a 14-day ultimatum to have a road map on definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.
“Says no room for further negotiations,” the ministry said in a tweet.
Sources said Kenya and Somalia have no diplomatic relationship to continue hosting the refugees there.
Kenyan officials plan to meet with diplomats from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan on Friday to regularize the repatriation of their nationals from the camps.
Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee camp, was set up in 1991 years ago to house people fleeing conflict in Somalia.
Kenya, which hosted protracted negotiations that culminated in the formation of the transitional federal government of Somalia, says the refugee situation continues to pose security threats to Nairobi and the region apart from the humanitarian crisis.
The move to close the camps came amid an ongoing maritime case between Kenya and Somalia. Kenya has accused the International Court of Justice of failure to honor its request to have the new team of lawyers prepare sufficiently for the case.
-
Football5 days agoFrance confirms U-20 Women’s World Cup participation amid FIFA-UEFA rift
-
Business5 days agoNigeria’s external debt service falls 31.5% to $954m in Q1 2026
-
Football3 days agoWAFCON 2026: Super Falcons battle South Africa for World Cup play-off spot
-
Latest5 days agoMessi reportedly faced multiple bomb threats during 2026 World Cup
-
Latest3 days agoOsun 2026: Oyinlola group backs Oyebamiji, faults Adeleke over exclusion
-
Business1 day agoBigi, Fearless take campus engagement to new level, reach 20 tertiary institutions
-
Featured5 days agoOsun Governorship Election: Adeleke faces tough test as APC, ADC mount challenge
-
Latest5 days agoNFF denies calling for Infantino’s resignation


