The conflict of Kenya and Somalia can be analyzed with various levels with plenty of correlating causes.

For this assignment, we are going to look at only one level of analysis that can explain more about the possible causes. If we look at Interstate level of analysis, where in this level it concerns the influence of the international system upon outcome. It focuses on the interactions of states themselves, without regard to their internal makeup or the particular individuals who lead them. This level pays attentions to states relative power positions in the international system and the interactions among them. The theory involved in this level of analysis is the Theory of Realism. Whereby, it explains the basic ideas of international relations in terms of power. Meanwhile, the international conflicts are the struggle for power. The same thing happened here in Kenya and Somalia case. Where the parties involved are mainly focused to get power in all means. There are lots of possible causes of this conflict between Kenya and Somalia. The causes are firstly, boots on the ground in Somalia. As Godane plainly stated, the biggest single reason for the attack on the Westgate Mall is the presence of Kenyan soldiers in southern Somalia. Kenyas army was sent into Somalia in October 2011 after a spate of kidnappings of Westerners. There are still around 4,000 Kenyan soldiers in Somalia1 as part of the 17,700 strong African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM). Secondly, disrupted cash flow, it took them a year to get there, but when Kenyas army finally chased Al Shabaab from its last urban stronghold, the Somali port city of Kismayo, in late September 2012 the militants were deprived of an key source of income charcoal. According to United Nations investigators, $15 million worth of illegal charcoal is traded out of Kenya each month2. But its the Kenyan generals and their local allies who they say are cashing in now. Thirdly, revenge which are pure and simple, during the Kenyan militarys slow advance across southern Somalia in 2011 and 2012, there were
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Linda_Nchi http://allafrica.com/stories/201311200203.html

numerous reports of civilian casualties. Al Shabaab likes to style itself as the one true defender of the Somali people3, and its leader Ahmed Godane said in an audio message released late Wednesday night that the Westgate assault was in retaliation for the deaths of Muslims. Next, is the symbolism and terrorism, Nairobis Westgate Mall is everything the extremist Al Shabaab abhors a temple of Western consumerism where we can buy Nike shoes and iPhones, watch movies and drink cocktails. It attracts whealthy families, business people, politicians, foreign visitors and expatriates. Hitting the mall and massacring the people inside was a deliberate strike at the heart and soul of a society Al Shabaab despises. Lastly, Proof of strength on the each others. Years of growing internal division and military setbacks left the group looking weak, and led some Western officials as well as the Somali government to declare Al Shabaab defeated4. But in the last few months, Godane carried out a bloody purge of his own ranks, killing off dissenters and pushing Al Shabaab even further into extremism. With the militants claiming the attack Godane himself has praised, the message is clear Al Shabaab is far from finished.

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http://thinkafricapress.com/somalia/al-shabaab-westgate-siege-was-all-about-kenya-godane http://forums.ssrc.org/kujenga-amani/2013/10/15/al-shabaab-terror-in-kenya-implications-for-peace-andsecurity-in-the-region/