Somalia has vehemently denied reports published on the Kenyan media, which alleged that the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was working with the Al-Shabaab militant group to coordinate attacks against the neighbouring country as well as the African Union peacekeeping forces in the country.

The Star and Standard newspapers in Kenya, citing a “confidential” report from the Kenyan security forces, claimed there was evidence NISA had been supporting the militant group with intelligence and finances in its attacks against Kenyan targets both in Somalia and in Kenya.

“A top NISA official is named as the main contact person who has been in constant communication with the militant group. He is suspected of facilitating the Al-Shabaab through financial and material support, including armaments and critical information on Amisom [African Union Mission in Somalia] troop movement, particularly the Kenyan contingent,” claimed a report published by the Standard.

The same intelligence official had reportedly facilitated a $1.5 million cheque to Al-Shabaab and identified “soft targets” along the border between the two countries for the militants.

A statement from the Somali Ministry of Information described the reports as malicious fabrication targeted at the Somali government and its security agencies.

“The Federal Government of Somalia rejects this type of malicious attacks and smear campaign targeting the government and its agencies. NISA is committed to the war against Al-Shabaab and takes offence to the disparaging news that is circulating throughout social media in an attempt to demean the agency,” read the statement in part.

The ministry urged the public and the media to exercise “good judgement and caution prior to sharing or publishing misleading, false and unverified information”.

However, this is not the first time NISA has faced accusations that some of its officials were cooperating with the Al-Shabaab militant group.

A number of former senior Somali officials, including former Deputy Director of NISA Abdalla Abdalla and ex-senior counter terrorism official Colonel Abdullahi Maow, had in the past expressed concern that the militant group had successfully infiltrated the highest ranks of the agency.

But, Kenya and Somalia had been trading serious accusations as the relations between the two countries remained frosty amid a maritime border row that is being adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Relations further plummeted over Kenya’s support for the leader of the Somali Jubbaland regional state, Ahmed Madobe, whose re-election in August last year was rejected by Somalia as unconstitutional.

A few months ago, Somalia accused the Kenyan government of fomenting rebellion against it as the neighbouring country hosted fugitive Jubbaland Security Minister Abdirashid Janan, who was wanted by Mogadishu.

The government in Mogadishu deployed the National Army along the border between the two countries over the matter, eventually leading to heavy fighting with Janan’s loyalists that spilled over to the Kenyan border town of Mandera.

The latest allegations will further worsen the relations between the East African neighbours, whose cooperation is vital to the defeat of perhaps the continent’s deadliest jihadist group, Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a brutal and relentless campaign against both countries.