Foreign Policy and the Threat of Global Terrorism: Kenya�s Military Intervention in Somalia

Global terrorism is the single most serious security challenge to nations in contemporary international relations.In November 2011, the Government of Kenya invoked article 51 of the United Nations Charter in the wake of Al-Shabaab terror attacks in its territory, and for the first time since independence, engaged its military in combat in a foreign territory-Somalia.The engagement of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in Somalia places Kenya among the rank of nations that engage their militaries abroad in the global war against terrorism.This paper examines the dynamics of Kenya's foreign policy in the light of the intervention.In it, this writer argues that Kenya's military intervention represents the status quo foreign policy which emphasize on the protection of its sovereignty as well as to safeguard regional stability.It however represents a shift in the way the country had been conducting its foreign policy previously whenever its sovereignty and territorial integrity were under threat. Background to Kenya-Somalia RelationsAn analysis of Kenya's military intervention requires a brief on the relations between the two countries.Kenya's relations with Somalia helped shape the foreign policy of Kenya.Territorial integrity of Kenya had been challenged as early as 1961 when Somalia claimed Northern Frontier District (NFD), citing historical, cultural and racial reasons (Katete, 1990).Indeed, Somalia's independence constitution was irredentist in nature, providing for creation of Greater Somalia that integrates all Somali nationals.The five -star shaped star on its national flag actually represented Somalis in former French Somalia (Djibouti), British Somalia, and Italian Somalia, as well as the Somalis in Ethiopia's Ogaden Province and Somalis of North Eastern region of Kenya.It was due to Somali nationalism that the country rejected the Organization of African Unity Charter that provided that independent African states inherit and respect colonial boundaries (Amate, 1986).Besides, Kenya's national security and unity were under threat by secessionist movements in North Eastern Province.