CS Monica Juma says Kenya does not negotiate for ransom with terrorists on Cuban doctors kidnapping

Govt does not negotiate with terrorists- CS Juma on Cuban doctors kidnapping

Mumbi Mutuko

May 21, 2019 3:32 PM

Tough stance by Kenya government on ransom negotiations

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma has said that Kenya does not negotiate ransom with terrorists.

These remarks were made on Tuesday when CS Juma was addressing a presser where she addressed alleged possible negotiations with Al Shabaab militants in Somalia to secure the release of two Cuban doctors abducted from Mandera.

CS Juma, however, said an operation was ongoing to rescue the two doctors during the joint media briefing with European Union (EU) High Representative Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma 2 Pulse Live Kenya

“We believe that we’ll secure their release in the ongoing security operation but as a matter of polity the government does not negotiate ransom. We’re hopeful that we shall retrieve the doctors safely back home,” the CS assured.

Shabaab demand ransom

The Interior CS was responding to reports that the Somali-based militant group had demanded for a Ksh150 million ransom for the release of the doctors who were attached to Mandera County Referral Hospital.

CS Juma commended the EU’s efforts towards peace in Somalia through the Counter-terrorism Law Enforcement Project – Horn of Africa and Yemen.

She appealed for EU support to Kenya’s bid to have Al Shabaab listed as a terrorist organization under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1267 of 1999.

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma Pulse Live Kenya

“In combating global terrorism and sustaining the painful gains, we urge you to support Kenya in listing the Al Shabaab as a terrorism organization under the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1267,” CS Juma said.

Juma’s call for the listing of the Somali-based militant group under Resolution 1267 follows the abduction of two Cuban doctors attached to the Mandera County Referral Hospital on April 12 by al-Shabaab militants.

Mumbi Mutuko