Refugees remain because of instability

Despite receiving an ultimatum by the Kenyan authorities to leave Mandera border town, some 7,000 Somali refugees remain. Humanitarian sources told IRIN that the situation of the Somali refugees had “not changed”, with most staying with relatives and friends in Mandera, northeastern Kenya. “Nothing has been set up for them”, because the Kenyan authorities do not want a permanent camp established, Kathleen Fahy, of the international NGO Trocaire told IRIN. Two weeks ago Kenyan authorities issued an ultimatum for the refugees to leave Mandera, or go to one of the existing refugee camps. The refugees fled inter-clan fighting in the Somali border town of Bulo Hawa, in the north of Gedo Region, southwestern Somalia, on 30 March. Local sources said that the situation in Bulo Hawa did not encourage the refugees to return, with “a lot of militia roaming around town.” Last week militia looted the Trocaire warehouses and stole health supplies. Meanwhile, elders led by the representative of the Ugas (the highest traditional authority) of the Marehan-Hadle, have been meeting since last week on the Kenyan side of the border to reconcile the Marehan sub-clans. There has been no significant progress with the meetings, local sources said.