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| Africa Horn |
| Kenya: Security tightened at border with S. Sudan |
| 2011-01-12 |
| [The Nation (Nairobi)] Security patrols have been intensified on the border of Kenya and Sudan as the referendum vote to decide whether the South should secede from the North enters its fourth day. This is intended to contain the proliferation of illegal arms and in case there was an influx of refugees. Turkana West district commissioner Patrick Muriira said additional public health and immigration officials had also been stationed at the border to carry out immunisation and registration of refugees. "We have not received any refugees yet but mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the government is not caught offguard in case of festivities as a result of the referendum." Mr Muriira said screening would be carried out at the border to make sure that refugees did not enter the country with illegal guns. "Immunisation for such contagious diseases as polio will also be done to avoid the refugees posing a health risk." Tension has gripped the border region of Abyei with reports of 33 people killed in festivities between Misseriyan Arab nomads and sedentary Ngok Dinka community. The disputed oil-rich Abyei area on the North-South border was expected to hold simultaneous referendum to decide its destiny but the voting was indefinitely postponed. "We are consulting with the local community to provide extra land to accommodate more refugees in case there is an influx of refugees," said Mr Muriira. He cautioned the local community against accommodating foreigners without valid documents. The immigration and customs officials are also checking for contraband goods, including drugs. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Mr Muriira said screening would be carried out at the border to make sure that refugees did not enter the country with illegal guns. Interesting statement, that Implies there ARE "Legal" guns. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2011-01-12 16:47 |