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The Somali government's full and official 'clarification' statement from the Ministry of Information on the Kenyan incursion into Somalia is as follows:
First of all, we need to underline the following:
-Kenya and Somalia have a long history of friendship and cooperation, and that continues today.-Kenya has long been an active supporter of peace and stability in Somalia.
-The Transitional Federal Charter that created the TFG was agreed to in Kenya, and Kenya has long been a leading advocate of having the international community assist in the stabilization and rebuilding of our country.
Secondly, we thank Kenyan government for its working together with Somali transitional federal government to stabilize Somalia and for training good number of Somali soldiers as well as hosting huge number of Somali refugees.
In fact, the people of Somalia as well as many of friends in the region including Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, etc. have suffered at the hands of Al-Shabaab from their violence. We all share the need to defeat and destroy Al-Shabaab. No one wants to see demise of Al-Shabaab more than the people of Somalia. We also share the attitude that Al-Shabaab constitutes a common enemy to both countries and in this regard, the sovereignty and the Territorial integrity of both Somalia and Kenya should be respected.
Therefore, to evolve a common security strategy, we agreed with our brothers Kenyan government on the following:
-Cooperation in undertaking coordinated security and military operations spearheaded by TFG soldiers trained by Kenyan government.-Cooperation and collaboration in sharing and exchange of information that is relevant to the fight against cross border crimes and operations.
We also need to clarify that as part of NSSP endorsed by the stakeholders the TFG will do the following:
1. Liberating the whole country from the tyranny of al-Shabaab with the help of AMISOM, IGAD and friendly countries.2. Stabilizing all areas freed from Al-Shabaab.
3. Establishing - in accordance with the Transitional Federal charter - local administrations in the liberated areas to avoid a vacuum.
We call on the international community to redouble its efforts to help those most in need once these territories are freed from the tyranny of al Shabaab. Once again we welcome the support of the International Community in defeating Al- Shabaab and wish to emphasize the need to do this while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Press Conference
Contrary to the official statement above, the Somali president and his prime minister today denied that Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Kenya have signed any agreement over Kenya's role in Somalia and expressed that the TFG is against Kenya's military intervention in their country.
In joint press conference in Villa Somalia after a lengthy closed door meeting, the president insisted that the TFG will never accept Kenya's intervention in Somali territory, but confirmed that two countries have common interest to fight against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
“The government will not break its decision on that issue. We have asked Kenya to assist the Somali government in training and supporting the Somali army but not to intervene in Somalia,” said Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
“We do have not have agreement with Kenya. We understood that we need to defend against the militants but and there is no proof saying that we agreed with Kenya,” added Prime Minister Abidweli.
Meanwhile, during a separate press conference, Somali parliament members expressed different views of Kenya's military presence in Somalia.
“Kenya has the right to defend and protect its people against the militants which have violated their country," said MP Mohamed Ibrahim Haabsade.
“Somalia is an independent country that can never accept this intervention so if we are Somali legislators we have protect that incursion. Kenya has refused to contribute forces to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, so what it is doing now in Somalia?” MP Omar Isllow said.
Somalia's pro-government militias of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamma and Ras Kamoboni both threw their support behind Kenya, in stark contrast to the TFG.
Meanwhile demonstrations supporting the president took place in Mogadishu. The demonstrators were chanting slogans to support the president calling Kenya to withdraw its forces in Somalia
“We have gathered today to express our spirit against how Kenyan forces entered the southern parts of the country claiming they are hunting al-Shabaab militias,” a protestor said.