HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION AND COUNTER-TERRORISM A CASE STUDY OF KENYA’S INTERVENTION IN SOMALIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine humanitarian intervention in countering terrorism: a case study of the Kenyan intervention in Somalia. The study was guided by three specific objectives which are to evaluate the role of national and international politics in the establishment of humanitarian intervention; to examine the effects of humanitarian intervention in countering terrorism in Somalia and to establish the implications and challenges of the humanitarian intervention in Somalia. The study was guided by three hypotheses which are; there has been national and international politics of humanitarian intervention in the international arena; humanitarian intervention has been an influence in tackling terrorism and the application of humanitarian intervention by Kenya to Somalia has affected both countries. The study was guided by the international relations theory and data collected for the study was purely secondary data gathered form books, journal, internet and other scholarly publications. The study found out that the purpose of the humanitarian intervention is to stop significant and specific human rights violations. They are under obligation to prevent widespread human suffering. These results are mass murder, ethnic cleansing and genocide. National systems of justice should act to prevent or stop large scale crimes against humanity and this is where universal justice and other international obligations should come into play. The study also found out that in Somalia and elsewhere, the potential and actual response against humanitarian actors considered to have provided support to terrorist groups thus contravening the various domestic, regional and international laws include sanctions and criminal proceedings. Finally, the study also found out that indeed, the then state of lawlessness in Somalia was on the world’s radar and has brought undesirable effects on its immediate neighbor, Kenya and the entire world. lt is confirmed that humanitarian intervention through the use of extreme force can result in short term desired results but cannot guarantee sustainable outcomes. The study recommends that;(I) Kenya should assist Somalia in taking steps to address it internal divides and to build a united Somalia through inclusivity of Somali nationals who don’t rely on clan divides and factions. (II) Somalia’s neighbors should complement its efforts in promoting peace and stability to ensure sustainable harmony and hence spur economic growth in the Horn of Africa region and the larger East Africa.