Three years ago, Kenya started to build a security fence along its border with Somalia, saying it wanted to keep out al-Shabaab militants. It recently agreed to stop construction, but Somalia is accusing Kenya of encroaching on its territory. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow has that story.

A border wall has generated heat in Somalia's parliament - Senators condemned Kenya's move to create a fence along the border between the two countries. 

According to Kenyan authorities, 64 homes have been marked for demolition along the border to allow the completion of the project.

ABDULLAHI ISMAIL FARTAAG SENATOR, SOMALIA "The border is an issue which is a big matter - one that should be addressed by Nairobi and the federal government in Mogadishu."

For now, the 700km project has been put on hold - following talks between both Somali and Kenyan presidents.

"We remain united in defending our sovereignty. The border issue must be addressed - every Somalia must present his argument and use all necessary platforms to raise this matter."

Among those who will be affected are school going children from Somalia who crosses the border each day to attend schools in the neighboring town of Mandera.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU, SOMALIA "The communities along the two sides of the border are highly interconnected and share deep social and economic ties - and also speak the same language. Experts argue that dividing the local public into these areas will prove challenging for the Kenyan government. But Kenya says the wall will block Al-Shabaab from launching deadly militant attacks in that part of the country."

For now, the border between Somalia and Kenya remains open - but its fate remains unknown. Abdulaziz Billow, CGTN, Mogadishu, Somalia