Kenya’s decision to close down refugee camps hosting hundreds of thousands of people from neighbouring countries is ill advised as it violates international law. What is more, the move will not solve the security challenge posed by Al Shabaab militants. Forcefully returning the refugees to Somalia will aid recruitment into terrorist ranks.

Since the events of 11 September 2001, US policies that were supposed to prevent further atrocities have in fact encouraged them. The US, aided by its ally nations, has committed untold numbers of human rights violations under the guise of ‘the war on terror’. These policies need to be re-examined.