The United Nations refugee commission (UNHCR) has revealed that Somali refugees in Dadaab camps are leaving due to continued threats and pressure from state security officials.
According to Mohamed Mahad Gurhan, an officer based at the UNHCR’s Dadaab office, many families are now registering to return back home because the camps are no longer safe.
“We have interviewed several families and many of those who have since filled the repatriation forms have revealed they are returning home because of threatening rhetorics by Kenyan security officials who recently visited the Dadaab camp,” Gurhan told VOA Somali Service.
Gurhan says state security officials told the refugees that they have to leave before they are forcibly ejected out when the camps shut down before the end of this year.
A recent agreement signed by the United Nations, the Kenyan and Somali nations stated that the refugees would never be forced to cross the border, back into their Somalia country.
“The forceful return of Somalia refugees would contravene international provisions and obligations,” Gurhan added.