Text of report by John Oywa and Peter Orengo entitled "Somalia plans to create new state to keep off Al-Shabab" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 2 April; subheadings as published
The war-torn Somalia could be headed for deeper trouble if plans to create another autonomous region along its borders with Kenya are carried through.
Although being billed as a good tactical move to help stabilize the lawless country, some observers say it could spark fresh rounds of civil war between regional authorities and the Al-Qa'idah-linked Al-Shabab militia that is causing grave security concerns in the Horn of Africa.
A meeting in Nairobi this week discussed the formation of a semi-autonomous Jubaland that will comprise northern regions of Lower and Middle Juba and Gedo on the Kenya-Somalia border.
If the plan goes through, Jubaland would become the third semi-autonomous breakaway region after Somaliland [northwestern Somalia] and Puntland [northeastern Somalia].
A group of former Somalia MPs told the Nairobi meeting that if created, Jubaland would act as a buffer zone and frustrate incursions by Al-Shabab into the region, prevent entry of refugees, and smuggling of arms into Kenya.
