Kenya's President William Ruto announced that the country will reopen its land border with Somalia in April 2024, which has been closed since 2011 following a series of attacks by Al-Shabaab militants. Ruto highlighted the unacceptable nature of the prolonged isolation of Kenyans from their relatives and neighbors in Somalia due to the extended closure of the border crossing. The official closure was enacted in October 2011 amid rising attacks linked to Al-Qaeda within Kenya's borders.

Despite previous attempts to reopen the Mandera border crossing, such as a gradual plan finalized in May 2023, Kenya had to retract its decision following further attacks that resulted in civilian and police casualties. In 2022, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud proposed a similar reopening, but that plan never materialized. The new decision comes amidst Kenya's continued involvement as part of a significant African Union force combating Al-Shabaab's influence in Somalia.

The implications of reopening the border extend beyond just humanitarian considerations; it could affect trade and security cooperation between the two nations. While the reopening may offer economic opportunities for both countries, the underlying security challenges remain a critical concern as Al-Shabaab continues to operate in the region, and any security lapses could provoke further violence and destabilization in both Kenya and Somalia.