Category Archives: Somalia

KENYA WILL BE BOMBED AS LONG AS IT’S MILITARY STILL FIGHTING AL SHABAAB

From: People For Peace
Voices of Justice for Peace
Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012

Al Shabaab attack in Kenya will not end as long as Kenyan military are still fighting them in Somalia. This is because when Kenyan military forces stormed into Somalia eight months ago, the Al-Shabab vowed to get revenge by killing Kenyan civilians.

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It explains why in every attack even though the Kenyan Government says it will make sure that other attacks will not happen the attacks continue.

The summery of the attacks: On Sunday July 1, 2012 at about 10:30am four gunmen attacked the African Inland Church in Northern Kenya, Garissa town. It then followed the Catholic Church, 3 kms from the AIC church. 17 people have been confirmed dead and 50 more injured some very seriously.

On 29 June 2012 a number of humanitarian relief workers were kidnapped from Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya. There was also a reported bomb blast on 24 June 2012 in Mishomoroni, 10 km from Mombasa where a number of people were reported to have been injured.

There was again a reported grenade attack on a club in Mombasa on the evening of 15 May, where a number of people were injured. Again there was a reported grenade attack on a church near Nairobi city centre on 29 April, with one reported death and a number of injuries.

There were also a series of explosive devices detonated in the evening of 31 March: one in Mtwapa, a town 15km north of Mombasa, and others in a bar near Mombasa stadium. A number of people have been injured.

On 12 January 2012, terrorists attacked a police camp near Wajir using explosives and gunfire. At least five people were killed. On 31 December 2011, a hand grenade attack on a club in Garissa town killed five people.

On December 20, 2010 three people were killed and 39 injured by a bomb explosion at a bus station in Nairobi. The blast happened as passengers passed through a security checkpoint before boarding a Kampala coach, which was bound for Kampala in neighbouring Uganda.

Earlier, Uganda’s police chief had warned of attacks by Somali militants. The Islamist group al-Shabab in July said it had carried out twin bomb blasts in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in retaliation for Uganda’s support for Somalia’s government.

Most of the wounded were Ugandans travelling home for Christmas. The blast smashed the windows of the Kampala Coach Vehicle, and left blood stains and scattered bags on the ground nearby.

Officials in Uganda say the country is vulnerable to further attacks from al Shabaab who have vowed to keep striking until a Ugandan army contingent, leading an African Union-mandated force protecting Somalia’s government, withdraws. Al Shabaab is closely linked to al Qaeda.

On the weekend of 5-6 November 2011, there was a grenade attack on a church in Garissa Town that killed 2 people. On 28 October 2011, a police vehicle was hit in Garissa Town.

On 27 October 2011 there was an attack on a vehicle in Mandera. Several people were killed. On 24 October 2011, there was a grenade attack at a bar near the business district in Nairobi. Several people were injured. An explosive device was also thrown at a bus stop in central Nairobi. One person was killed and several injured.

On 13 October 2011, two aid workers were kidnapped from Dadaab refugee camp. On 1 October 2011, A French national was kidnapped at a beach resort close to Lamu, 150km from the Kenya-Somalia border. On 11 September 2011, Two British nationals were attacked at a beach resort north of Lamu, near the Kenya-Somalia border. One was killed and the other kidnapped.

Cases of kidnapping have increased since mid-2009 in Nairobi and some other major towns. Some have been opportunist crimes linked to car-jackings, while others appear to have been more organised.

That year in October a resident British national was kidnapped and two other incidents towards the end of 2009 involving resident European nationals. On 13 June 2010 six people were killed and over 100 injured following explosions at a rally in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi.

Although not limited, other areas that are at risk include Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Korogocho, Kariobangi, Kangemi, Mwiki and Kawangware.

Apart from revenge other terrorist attacks in Kenya are widely believed to be the revenge, especially the 1998 United States embassy bombings for American involvement in the extradition, and alleged torture, of four members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad who had been arrested in Albania in the two months prior to the explosions. At least 200 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in Kenya and Tanzania.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
People for Peace in Africa
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com

Peaceful world is the greatest heritage
That this generation can give to the generations
To come- All of us have a role.

SOMALIA: JOURNALIST WOUNDED IN MOGADISHU.

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By Agwanda Saye in Mogadishu.

The National Union of Somali Journalists is concerned about the increasing journalists’ casualties in Somalia after a broadcast journalist was wounded in a landmine blast in Mogadishu on Sunday 17 June, 2012 around 7:00pm, while the union hopes quick recovery for another wounded journalist who was flown to Nairobi for further medical treatment

The journalist, Abdifatah Ibrahim Hassan, a newscaster of SIMBA radio, a privately owned radio station, was wounded by a shrapnel from a landmine blast on Sunday evening, June 17, 2012 around 7:00pm local time, as he left the radio station at Bakaro market and heading his home at Hamar-Bile neighborhood. The shrapnel hit the tight close the testicles of the right leg. Two people were killed in the blast and three additional people were wounded.

He was rushed to Madina Hospital where he went under two successful surgeries, according to the Director of the Hospital, Dr. Mohamed Yusuf who spoke with NUSOJ, “He was under two surgeries and now we hope he will recover.”

The director of SIMBA Radio, Abdullahi Ali Farah (Atosh) who spoke with NUSOJ said that, It was unfortunate incident that one of his journalists were wounded, noting that the journalist was not only servicing the radio but the public as well.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) called the incident worrisome trend that everyday the journalists are on the line of fire. “It is intolerable to witness that our members are either killed or wounded in Mogadishu,” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “We call on the all sides of the conflict to respect the journalists who are tirelessly feeding them updated news information and urge the Transitional Federal Government to carry out full investigations into the previous cases of murders and wounds and end the culture of impunity reaching its peak.”

Meanwhile, officials from the National Union of Somali Journalists visited Mohamed Nur Mohamed “Sharif” of Bar-Kulan Radio at The Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi after he was flown to Nairobi after the journalist’s health condition has deteriorated, after surviving an assassination attempt. Mohamed Sharif was wounded by two unknown armed men after he left a local television offices in Hamarjajab neighborhood for home on June 8, 2012.

“I had a problem of breathing and I was taken to Nairobi and receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital.” Mohamed Sharif who was speaking to Mohamed Garane, the Union’s training secretary who visited him at the hospital said, “I am feeling good now.”

“I had the damaged areas of my stomach scanned and I have gone under care and treatment, for Allah’s mercy I can breathe now” Mohamed Sharif added, thanking Bar-Kulan radio administrators – a UN funded radio -, Albany Associates, NUSOJ and Somali journalists for their sympathy and care.

NUSOJ sent urgent medical assistance to Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF) and had kindly responded. DCMF has helped at least 10 either wounded or sick journalists including the journalists wounded at the theatre blast this year alone.

Local Journalists released in Central Somalia

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By Agwanda Saye in Somali

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcome Ahlu Sunna waljama release the two journalists arrested in the Somalia’s central town of Dhusomareb two days ago were illegally sentenced to three months jail by the Sufi militia run local court and submitted to the central prison in the town but later released with the help of The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) on Thursday.

But after many contacts with the Sufi Ahlu-Suna rulers in Dhusomareb, the NUSOJ officials succeeded to convince the court judge the charge against the journalists was baseless and they were released on Wednesday at 06:00 PM local time.

The journalists were sued with an false charges on accusing them of a news coverage describing the Ahlu-Suna fighters as clan based militia bandits but that case lacked any evidence.

The chairman of Ahlu-Suna Sheik Ibrahim Sheik Hassan Guureeye told NUSOJ he will intervene the case and correct the faults within the administration. Ibrahim has opologized over the journalists’ arrests and pledged for NUSOJ that this won’t happen and those who were behind it will be brought before justice.

The man behind the reports’ arrests who is the chairman of the security board in Dhusomareb town Farhan Sheik Ali has himself paid an excuse over this order pointing it as a mistake which came into misunderstanding.

Journalist Abdirahman Moalim Ahmed described their arrest as in violation of their freedom. They were beaten and tortured to confess un existed and uninvolved crime.

Militias loyal to the local Sufi militias, Ahlu Suna Wal-Jama raided the offices of the Radio Voice of Central Dhusamareb (Idaacadda Codka Bartamaha Dhusamareb) based in Dhusamareb on Tuesday morning around 6:20am local time, where they have seriously beaten and arrested Bashir Mohamed Salad Aka Bashir Sanka who contributes both Dalsan Radio, a privately owned independent radio station based in Mogadishu and Idacada Codka Bartamaha, an independent radio station based Dhusamareb and Abdi Jamal Moalim Ahmed, who is the correspondent of Radio Bar-Kulan, a UN Funded radio.

The Shabab, which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda looted the Radio equipment twice after raiding the town and briefly taking it over, there has been similar fears within the residents after the Ahlu Sunna Waljama militias supported by the Ethiopian troops abandoned the town of Elbur, a strategic town in central Somalia this weekend.

On 5th June, 2012, The Deputy Security Chief of the town’s Security Committee, Mr. Nor Elmi Hoosagale threatened the journalists after similar episode, of which the town’s people evacuated the town, took place.

On June 8, 2012 Two unknown assailants armed with pistols shot twice Mohamed Noor Mohamed better known as Mohamed Sharif – reporter for the Bar-Kulan Radio – below the heart which penetrated the back and the stomach on Friday evening June 8, 2012 around 7:30pm local time near Horn Cable Television office in Hamarjajab neighborhood as he was returning from work. The attackers fled the area immediately, according to witnesses.

Kenyan Police and Military Abuses against Ethnic Somalis

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From: Yona Maro

This report provides detailed documentation of human rights abuses by the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenyan police in apparent response to a series of grenade and improvised explosive device [IED] attacks that targeted both the security forces and civilians in North Eastern province. Rather than conducting investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, both the police and army responded with violent reprisals against Kenyan citizens and Somali refugees.

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/kenya0512webwcover.pdf

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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com

Somalia: Warring Parties Put Children at Grave Risk

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from Yona Maro

(London) – Somalia’s warring parties have all failed to protect Somali children from the fighting or serving in their forces, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Islamist insurgent group al-Shabaab has increasingly targeted children for recruitment, forced marriage, and rape, and attacked teachers and schools, Human Rights Watch said.

“For children in Somalia, nowhere is safe,” said Zama Coursen-Neff, deputy children’s rights director at Human Rights Watch. “Al-Shabaab rebels have abducted children from their homes and schools to fight, for rape, and for forced marriage.”

The 104-page report,“No Place for Children: Child Recruitment, Forced Marriage, and Attacks on Schools in Somalia,” details unlawful recruitment and other laws-of-war violations against children by all parties to the conflict in Somalia since 2010. The report is based on over 164 interviews with Somali children, including 21 who had escaped from al-Shabaab forces, as well as parents and teachers who had fled to Kenya.

Human Rights Watch called on all parties to the conflict, involving Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union forces (AMISOM) against al-Shabaab, to release any child soldiers in their ranks, protect children formerly associated with fighting forces, and protect schools, teachers, and students from attack.

Since Somalia’s conflict intensified in 2010 and 2011, al-Shabaab has increasingly forced children, some as young as 10, to join its dwindling ranks. After several weeks of harsh training, al-Shabaab’s child recruits are then sent to the front lines, where some serve as “cannon fodder” to protect adult fighters, Human Rights Watch found. Others have been coerced into becoming suicide bombers.A 15-year-old boy told Human Rights Watch that in 2010, “Out of all my classmates – about 100 boys – only two of us escaped, the rest were killed. The children were cleaned off. The children all died and the bigger soldiers ran away.”

Al-Shabaab has also abducted girls for domestic and front-line service, as well as to be wives to al-Shabaab fighters. Families who try to prevent their children’s recruitment or abduction by al-Shabaab, or children who attempt to escape, face severe consequences and even death.

The TFG military and militias aligned with it are deploying children in their forces despite commitments from Somali officials since late 2010 to end the recruitment and use of children, Human Rights Watch said. To date, the TFG has failed to hold anyone to account for this abuse. It has also detained children perceived to be supporters of al-Shabaab instead of providing them with rehabilitation and protection in accordance with international standards.

“Al-Shabaab’s horrific abuses do not excuse Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government’s use of children as soldiers,” Coursen-Neff said. “The TFG should live up to its commitments to stop recruiting and using children as soldiers, and punish those who do. Governments backing the TFG should make clear that these abuses won’t be tolerated.”

Al-Shabaab’s violations of the laws of war include attacks on schools, teachers, and students, Human Rights Watch said. The armed grouphas deployed its fighters and heavy weapons in schools, often packed with students, and used children as “human shields.” Terrified students described to Human Rights Watch being locked in schools, awaiting often indiscriminate return artillery fire from TFG and African Union forces.

In schools in areas under their control, al-Shabaab officials have recruited children and teachers and imposed their harsh interpretation of Islam on the school curriculum. Students and teachers told Human Rights Watch that al-Shabaab banned English, science, and other subjects, and even killed teachers who resisted. As a result, many schools have shut down, after teachers fled and many children dropped out. Schools that have remained open provide little or no substantive education.

Human Rights Watch also called on the TFG, its allied militias, and the African Union troops to identify schools in areas of their military operations, including outside of Mogadishu, to minimize the risk to them.

International supporters of the TFG, including the United Nations, European Union, African Union, and the United States, have not paid sufficient attention to human rights violations by the government, including recruitment and use of children as soldiers, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch urged intergovernmental institutions and governments, including states in the region, to place children’s protection and other human rights concerns high on the agenda when they meet in London to discuss the Somalia crisis on February 23, 2012. They should increase support for human rights monitoring and reporting and use any leverage they have on warring parties to protect children and their secure access to education.

“If world leaders meeting in London want to address Somalia’s future, it’s crucial for them to protect this shattered generation of children from further horror and invest in their education and security,” Coursen-Neff said.

Selected accounts from the report:

My 13-year-old friend was in my class. When al-Shabaab tried to take him to the camp, he said he was the only son of his mother. They said he would be killed before he could even explain. They hit him with a gun butt and forced him out of the class. The teacher intervened and al-Shabaab said he was the one telling the kids not to come. They then shot him in front of our class.

– 15-year-old boy describing a 2010 killing in El Ashabiya.
“Then they took us to fight. It was between al-Shabaab and the TFG. All the young children were taken to the first row of the fighting. I was there. Several of the young children there were killed, including several of my classmates. Out of all my classmates –about 100 boys – only two of us escaped, the rest were killed. The children were cleaned off. The children all died and the bigger soldiers ran away.

– 15-year-old boy recruited by al-Shabaab from his school in Mogadishu in mid-2010.
In mid-2010 al-Shabaab took me from my house. They were controlling the entire neighborhood and locked me in a house. They told me, “We will marry you to our leader.” I was in that house for a month. I was crying day and night. Then I said they should go and ask my father. They released me. I told my mother I didn’t want it. After that I went to live with my grandmother in a different neighborhood controlled by the TFG, Hamer Wayne. After that when they came to our house, they took my two brothers.

– 16-year-old girl from Bondhere, Mogadishu.
I was always worried when they were at school. You always worried when the day ended to see if your boy was recruited or your girl was kidnapped. Every day you get your child back at the end you are thankful. Every day there were incidents reported from the school.

– Mother whose 17-year-old daughter was taken by al-Shabaab during a school tea break in Bakara, Mogadishu.
One day al-Shabaab entered the school and went up to the first floor. They were shooting big guns from the school…. 15 to 20 al-Shabaab entered the first floor and fired. They closed the door and we stayed in the class. We were locked in from 10 or 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – there was continuous fighting. We heard return fire but it did not hit the school, it hit all around us.

– 18-year-old student from Hawlwadag, Mogadishu describing an incident from October 2010.

—
Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com

Kenya: Security Forces Abusing Civilians Near Somalia Border

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from Yona Maro

(Garissa) – The Kenyan security forces are beating and arbitrarily detaining citizens and Somali refugees in Kenya’s North Eastern province [http://www.hrw.org/africa/kenya], which borders on Somalia [http://www.hrw.org/africa/somalia], despite repeated pledges to stop such abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.

On January 11, 2012, in the latest of a series of incidents documented by Human Rights Watch since October 2011, security forces rounded up and beat residents of Garissa, the provincial capital, in an open field within the enclosure of the local military camp. A Human Rights Watch researcher witnessed the incident.

“When military officers can beat civilians in broad daylight without fearing repercussions, it’s clear that impunity has become the norm,” said Daniel Bekele, [http://www.hrw.org/bios/daniel-bekele] Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Repeated promises by both the police and the military to stop these abuses and investigate have amounted to nothing.”

The Kenyan police and military have been responsible for a growing number of serious abuses against civilians since the Kenya Defence Forces entered southern Somalia in October, with the stated aim of eliminating al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia. The same month, suspected al-Shabaab sympathizers initiated a series of attacks against police, military, and civilian targets in Kenya.

In response, members of the security forces have been responsible for rape, beatings, looting, and arbitrary arrests of civilians. The crackdown has largely targeted Somali refugees and Kenyan ethnic Somalis, but residents of other ethnic backgrounds in North Eastern province have also been victimized.

The incident in Garissa on January 11 involved Kenyan citizens who told Human Rights Watch that they had been arbitrarily detained by the military. One of them, Ali Ibrahim Hilole, was at a shop across from the military camp buying items for a hospitalized relative when a military officer said to him: “Why are you standing here? So you’re al-Shabaab.” Soldiers forced him to accompany them to the camp, where they kicked him and told him to roll around on the ground.

Yusuf Khalif Mohamed, a long distance truck driver, stopped in Garissa for a soft drink on his way from Mombasa to Dadaab, where he was to make a food delivery for UNICEF. He parked his truck near the military camp, not knowing that parking was prohibited there. A military officer forced him to come to the camp, where soldiers threw a 20-liter container of water on him, forced him to roll on the ground, kicked him on the side, and hit him on the head with the butt of a gun. Mohamed told Human Rights Watch that one of them said, “I think you are al-Shabaab. You are bothering us in Somalia, and now you’ve come to bother us here.”

Both men, along with at least five to seven others who were similarly detained and mistreated – most of them truck drivers, and all of them Kenyan citizens – were released after 30 minutes. They were not interrogated or charged with any crime.

A Human Rights Watch researcher who attempted to visit the military camp to speak to the officer in charge witnessed soldiers forcing several men to lie down in the dirt and forcing another man to frog-jump across the field and to assume various gymnastic positions. Military personnel refused entry to Human Rights Watch, one of them stating, “There are no human rights here.”

The military spokesperson, Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir, said by phone from Nairobi that the people held at the military camp were being questioned because they had tried to build an illegal structure to sell things outside the camp. Chirchir said he did not have knowledge of any abuses, but assured Human Rights Watch that the military would investigate the allegations.

The events in Garissa follow a series of human rights violations by security forces against ethnic Somalis and others. On November 11, soldiers in Garissa rounded up ethnic Somalis arbitrarily on the basis of their appearance, beat them, and forced them to sit in dirty water while interrogating them.

On November 24, following two grenade attacks on civilian targets in Garissa and an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a military convoy in Mandera, police and soldiers rounded up hundreds of suspects in both towns. Some were beaten so severely that they suffered broken limbs. In the days following the attacks, suspects were arrested at random. Human Rights Watch interviewed some who were taken to Garissa military camp and forced to do humiliating exercises, such as standing on their heads, and were beaten if they could not comply.

Explosions in the town of Wajir in early December were also followed by arbitrary arrests and beatings. A local activist in Wajir told Human Rights Watch that after an IED went off on December 12, injuring an intelligence officer and several others, police and soldiers rounded up and beat ethnic Somalis over the next three days.

“They criminalize all Somali people,” he said. “Whenever a crime is committed, detaining and torturing people doesn’t seem like a good security strategy. It is creating a barrier between the people and the security forces.”

The worst abuses took place at Dadaab, home to over 460,000 mostly Somali refugees. A police officer was killed by an IED at Dadaab on December 5, leading to arbitrary arrests of those in the vicinity. After further explosions targeting police vehicles on December 19 and 20, one of them killing a police officer, police reacted angrily, beating refugees, and, in several cases, raping women. The chair of the Supreme Council of Muslims of Kenya, which conducted investigations in the camps, said that Kenyan police raped at least seven women following the explosions. Other victims suffered broken limbs.

A Garissa-based organization, Citizen Rights Watch, found that on the same occasion police looted dozens of shops, stealing over 27 million Kenyan shillings (US$310,000) worth of property and money that refugee traders stored in their shops.

Garissa residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch complained that police have not conducted thorough investigations to identify the actual perpetrators of either the initial attacks or the subsequent abuses by the security forces.

“Kenya’s security forces are rightly concerned about attacks by suspected al-Shabaab members, and should be doing more, not less, to identify the attackers,” Bekele said. “But beating, raping, and humiliating innocent Kenyan citizens and Somali refugees accomplishes nothing. Those in the security forces who are responsible for these abuses should be investigated and prosecuted.”
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Kenya should pull its forces out of Somalia and only protect its borders

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo.

It is now close to one month ever since the government and military bosses plus strategists made a big blunder and sent our young men and women to fight to perhaps end the menace of the Islamists terrorists members of the al-qaeda backed Al-Shabaab.

The decision was made in hasty way following the terrorists’ raids into Kenya’s coastal region of Lamu where the al-shababs had succeeded in kidnapping two tourists,

Off course I am not trying to play down the importance of tourist industry in this country and its significance contribution to the country’s economy. However such decision should have been taken long ago. But we waited for too long and only came out with half-hearted action when the lives of two eccentric old foreign families came under attack.

May be our government acted at the behest of a third party, which could be one foreign power, but our big men in Nairobi did not foresaw the enormous costs of such military incursion in an ungovernable neighboring territory, its costs in terms of man power and equipments, and see to it that such military operations does not augur well with our permanently ailing national economy cannot sustain military operation in a foreign land.

It has since degenerated into nightmarish, and what other military experts have since described as “Never Win War”, Kenya’s porous frontiers {borders} makes it nearly impossible for our forces to whip out the Al-Shabaab. Already there are signs that members of the Al-Shabaab who have been routed out of their hideout inside Somalia have sneaked back into Kenya and were not operating behind our military lines, planting land mines blasting our military vehicles and killing our policemen inside Kenya.

The Al-Shabaab outfit appeared to have infiltrated deep into Kenya territory perhaps with help and assistance of Kenyan community of Somalis origin living in the North East Province. Some members of Al-Shabaab could even be operating inside Kenya. And the war in Somalia is almost turning nasty and bloody urban guerrilla warfare.

It could have been wise for Kenyan military strategists to launch a massive security dragnet within our borders and ensure that no unidentified foreign infiltrators were allowed into the country and even keep our border close should the need be arise instead of sending our young men to go and fight a phantom war.

Given their ability to infiltrate, the Al-Shabaab could make our country bleed to death. So far our country has already suffered casualties in terms unspecified loss of men, military aircraft and very expensive equipment. It is a war without justified causes and we are not even sure of what our country is aiming at to achieve in this expensive exercise.

The militarily much mightier nation like the United States of America once dispatched a contingent f its military team to Somalia. But quickly pulled out after bloodbath in Mogadishu and left the country in huff. One may be left to wonder if a militarily dwarf country like Kenya could succeed where the American have failed. It is pipe dream t think so.

Kenya has nothing at stake in Somaia. The government should pull our dedicated and patriotic soldiers and only engaged them in massive border patrolling so that they can the terrorist at bay and stop them from infiltrating into our country.

We should learn good lessons from other African nations. Each an every year these countries meet at an annual forum of the African Union{AU} always made pledges to send their troops to be part of the peace-keeping force in Somalia, but none of the promises has ever been fulfilled.

Another issue which I should like to draw the attention of Kenyans about is the rapidly increasing influence of people of Somali origins in key positions decision making within the government and quasi-government organization such as parastatals, public commissions as well as in the military and security system. And yet these people re well known to be of questionable loyalties ever since they waged the bloody Shifta War of the early 1960s and thereafter independence in 1963.he government should think twice before placing the Somalis in position of trust in its system.

The fact that Al-Shabaab could sneak easily into Kenya and plant landmines and bombs in Somalis inhabited towns like Wajir,Garrisa, Lagdera and other places in the North East Province is a clear testimony.

The people of Somalis origins belonged to one tribe and speak the same language, but could not agree on the kin of government they want in their own country, making the Horn of Africa nation become ungovernable state. How do we trust people to be meaning well for Kenya and its people? The Somalis are people of short tempers that is why they butchering each other. Most o their wars re based on clannish disagreement based on petty and insignificant issues.

I have been carefully watching some of the arguments put up on various issues of national importance in this country and I can predict it with much accuracy that the likely wood of Somalis importing their culture of political insanity which is full of temperamental and lousiness agitations, we may not be far away from, joining the kind of political instability we are now witnessing in Somalia.

To crown it all, I say Kenya should free from the influence of Somalis at bay if it want to survive.

”Long Live Kenya”

Ends

Kenya Scores diplomatic double against Al-Shabaan terrorists in Somali as it secured approval and support of two key important regional bodies

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

KENYA has scored doubles by winning the support of two key regional bodies for its military operations in Somalia to flush out the Islamist terrorist Al-Shabaab militants.

It secured the backing and approval if the Intergovernmental Agency on Development {IGAD}, a regional organization which groups Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, Djibouti and now the suspended Eritrea.

Nairobi has also won the support and approval of the five-nation member countries of the East African Community {EAC}. The community groups together Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

The EAC is schedule to hold its extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers and Heads of State Summit in Bujumbura Burundi next Wednesday and top on the agenda for discussion will feature he war in Somalia.

Already the EAC Secretary General Dr. Richard Sezibera from Rwanda has hinted the community support from Kenya. Individual member states have also expressed their support for Kenya, and most important of all being the neighboring Uganda and Burundi which have contributed close to 9,000 troops serving in the AU peacekeepers under the unified force called AMISOM.

An urgently convened summit of the regional presidents held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa at the weekend unanimously endorsed Kenya’s military operation in Somalia code named “Operation Linda Nchi”.

The IGAD leaders pitched for regional solidarity and enhanced coordination between Kenya Defense Forces, AMISOM and TFG to defeat Al-Shabaab and restore stability I the Horn of Africa’s devastated country.

The regional leaders who in attendance at the Summit chaired by the Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi were Presidents Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, President Ismael Omar Gulled of Djibouti and President Shariff Sheikh Ahmed for Somalia.

In a final communiqué released to the media after the 19th extraordinary IGAD Summit, the regional leaders stressed the need for the organization and the African Union {AU}to galvanize international support for the onion g military operation. The Summit further called on the Transitional Government of Somalia and endorsement of national security to expedite the finalization and endorsement of national security and stability process.

The summit expressed concern that Kenya carried the heaviest refugee burden and called on the international community to develop modalities for burden sharing.

The Summit further urged humanitarian agencies to relocate to the secure parts of Somalia to stem the influx of refugee into the neighboring countries, and further called o the UN Security Council t revise its resolution 2020 extending for 12 months authorization for countries cooperating with TFG to use necessary means to combat piracy and armed robbery.

At the same time the Secretary General of the East African Community Dr Richard Sezibera in a statement issued in Bujumbura, Burundi where the Council of Ministers of the bloc are meting together with the members of the East African Legislative Assembly a head of the Summit slated for next Wednesday, said that the partner states f the EAC were clear on their support for Kenya’s military operation “Linda Inchi” meant t flush out the al-qaeda backed Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.

“Somali will be to on the agenda of the Council of Ministers and Heads of State Summit slate for next Wednesday, will seek to provide a long lasting solution on the Somalia conflict.”.

On the possibility of the entry of Southern Sudan into the EAC, Dr Sezibera said the lingering state f insecurity in Africa’s youngest nation should be n obstacle.

He made these remarks on sideline of the 24th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers. He said Southern Sudan is just coming of conflict and there are residual problems with countries emerging from conflicts. ”We have Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. EAC has lots of wisdom borne out of experience with which it can assist South Sudan become stable.”

On recent ban by Tanzania on maize exports to Kenya, the Secretary General said the issue had already been resolved. “Tanzania has lifted the ban on maize exports to Kenya while Kenya on its part is working to do the same.

“The East African Community Customs

In the battle front, Kenya has so far lost ten men with one missing in action an the Al-Shabaab appeared to have resorted not to challenge the mighty Kenya military forces on conventional war, but have resorted to urban guerrilla tactics which is similar to the fashion used by Vietnamese during the Indochina War of 1960s of hitting enemy target in strategic places behind the line. It has strike once in Garrisa Town near the Kenya Somali border when its agent attacked a police station killing one police man and escaped with his G3 rifle and by waylaying land mines on strategic roots aimed t Kenya’s military vehicles movements.

Ends

Kenya seeks Obama support for Somalia incursion…..Aseyie..!!!

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Konyiego,

from Judy Miriga

I hear you.

Yes, It is the way to go……..and so, President Obama must himself supervise as Chief Comander of Armed Forces, this is what we are all quiping here with sentiments of brother Macharia from the UN ……..

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Now, it is Africa’s turn to rescue the world

During the scramble for Africa at the end of on the nineteenth century, European powers staked claims to virtually the entire continent.

At meetings in Berlin, Paris, London and other capitals, European statesmen and diplomats bargained over the separate spheres of interest they intended to establish there.

Their knowledge of the vast African hinterland was slight. Hitherto, Europeans had known Africa more as a coastline than a continent; their presence had been confined mainly to small, isolated enclaves on the coast used for traditional purposes.

Dumping ground

The British Empire established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, from 1920 known as Kenya Colony. With the beginning of colonial rule in 1895, the Rift Valley and surrounding Highlands became the enclave of white immigrants engaged in large-scale coffee farming dependent on mostly local labour — for little or no pay. Kenyans were put under intense suffering that is still a bitter memory to many.

Indeed, this is what is now pushing the Mau Mau fighters to have the British Government compensate them for the inhumanity they were exposed to almost five decades ago.

Despite their adamancy, it is a fact that colonisation took Africa back in terms of development. The innumerable problems of the continent today are as a result of slavery, denying Africans education as well as proper shelter.

But the world turned upside down as the Europe debt crisis reached a new extreme last week when Europe came pleading for lucre where it once only seized it — Africa. The visit of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho of Portugal to former colony Angola — once a prime source of slaves, then a dumping ground for the mother country’s human rejects and now swimming in oil wealth — was a milestone of sorts.

While Europe’s financial distress has already revived bad historical memories — there was talk of a Chinese rescue for the continent that once humiliated it — the Angola-Portugal moment has had no equal in its upfront plaintiveness. This is a show that the “dark” continent is fast changing —for the better. The continent is rich, with massive resources and expertise. It only needs to improve its governance to be the world’s superpower.

— On Mon, 11/21/11, Jagem K’Onyiego wrote:
From: Jagem K’Onyiego
Subject: Re: Kenya seeks Obama support for Somalia incursion
To: “Judy Miriga”

Judy,

You seem to be a little late on this one in particular. Wuod Alego has done alot so far. Kenya would not have moved and made any impact kama ingekuwa hakuna wajasusi wa kutoka kwake.

Kwa hiyo wewe tulia, haswa kwa hii maneno.

Jagem

From: Judy Miriga

Folks,

Like Israel, US should in a joint NATO clean-up Kenya, go after Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab starting from within Kenya driving Rebels outward back to Somalia, so Somalian Government could come to terms with itself and be given a chance to Democratically elect their leaders and be stable, instead of operating from Kenya and muddying the situation…….and like Libya,without interfering with peace of the neighbouring countries. This will out-do a conspiracy engineering maneuvres of Meles Zenawi, Moi, Museveni, Salim Saleh, Kagame, Kibaki and Raila for their corrupt special interest cartel network……..their sneaky Game Gone Haywire………falling out of control and now are not able to contain and clean up their mess………a bone is stuck on their throat………

President Obama is not blind in all these…….I trust God will give him wisdom to make a fair judgement based on Public Mandate as is demonstrated at REFERENDUM……..

I am in equal agreement that no one else in the world can save and contain a spilling out of control offensive invasion by Kenyan Coalition Government to Somalia, except President Obama. However, my concern is that, it should and must be done responsibly………. and yes, for that reason, I repeat, the only intelligent person who can do that effectively, efficiently and successfully is President Obama, and indeed, President Obama should step up and intervene without delay.

May God Bless us all……!

Thank you all,

Cheers ….!!!
Judy Miriga Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

Kenya seeks Obama support for Somalia incursion

By Chris Wamalwa in USA

Kenya’s United Nations Permanent Representative in New York has appealed directly to the Obama administration for support for Kenya’s incursion of Somalia to root out Al Shabaab Islamist rebels.

In diplomacy reflective of President Kibaki’s strategy of courting international support for the war in Somalia, Ambassador Macharia Kamau early last week made a rare appearance at the Capitol Hill, the seat of congressional power to make a case for Washington’s support of the war.

“We would love to see the international community, with the US right up there, engaging in Somalia in ways in which they have not for quite a long time,” Ambassador Macharia Kamau told the press in Washington, DC soon after meeting some members of US congress.

Kenya deployed tanks and troops to the

Al Shabaab-controlled southern Somalia on October 14 to fight the Al-Qaeda-linked rebels the country blames for kidnapping foreigners and making cross-border raids thus disturbing the peace and threatening the tourism industry.

“We would like to see the US and the international community taking advantage of basically what Kenya is doing, which is putting troops on the ground, taking risks that need to be taken to achieve the goals that we all say need to be achieved, which is to bring peace and security to Somalia,” said Ambassador Kamau.

But, Pentagon officials told National Public Radio’s (NPR) Michelle Kelemen in an interview broadcast over the weekend that the US is monitoring the Kenyan incursion, but not providing assistance.

The State Department is advising caution, said Donald Yamamoto, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa.

“You don’t know what the consequences are going to be,” he said. “Look at the Ethiopian incursion into Somalia, look at our own personal history. It’s fraught with a lot of problems and dangers. The Somalis just do not like foreigners in their area.”

Yamamoto said Kenya’s motivations were understandable, but the US has tried to keep focused on beefing up the African Union forces, supporting a transitional government and reaching out to major clans.

“The overall issue and solution to the Somalia problem is going to have to be a regional, concerted approach, [an] international approach, but also ultimately the Somalis themselves will have to resolve this,” Yamamoto said.

Ambassador Kamau’s courting of lawmakers in DC among them Democratic Senator Al Franken and Democratic Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, seems to be bearing fruits. Late last week as a result of Mr Kamau’s briefing, Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, a state with a vast Somali-American community that Al Shabaab has tapped for recruits, made a presentation in the House of Representatives asking the US government to help Kenya deal with the Al Shabaab menace once and for all.

Making reference to these links, Mr Kamau said Al Shabaab was training over 40 known American citizens in Somalia, warning that there was a direct line from the group right back to American cities that poses a clear and present danger for Americans.

“We should never forget that what’s going on in Somalia, while it might appear to be far away, out in the middle of nowhere, has tentacles that stretch back to the United States,” he cautioned.

Ambassador Kamau made a fresh appeal to the United States to consider imposing a blockade on the rebel-held Somali port of Kismayu to choke off the rebels’ supply line, a move Washington has been reluctant to support.

“Why this has not happened is actually a little bit beyond us because it does not require any troops on the ground, neither does it really put anyone at any risk,” he said.

“It’s really a question of moving their naval assets into positions that would ensure that these people are not able to continue to supply through Kismayu,” which is an Al Shabaab “nerve center,” he said.

The envoy said Kenyan forces had cleared rebels out of towns and areas they once controlled and suggested that “maybe the international community might take advantage of that to send down peacekeeping troops to ensure that these towns and areas are not re-infiltrated by the armed groups and terrorist elements.”

US officials said Kenya has been making what one senior senate source called “a full-court press” for Washington’s help on Somalia and against the Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab, with top diplomats reaching out to key lawmakers for help.

The ambassador said he would also meet with non-governmental organizations in Washington in a bid to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Somalia.

And he reminded US lawmakers wary of fresh commitments at a time of belt-tightening that “Kenya itself is not in the best of economic times.”

“But we ourselves have recognized that all our collective long-term interests demand that we make the necessary sacrifices now, because if we don’t, then the price that we shall pay, collectively, as an international community, whether Europe, Asia, or the United States, could be quite severe,” he said.

The month-old incursion caught the United States and others off guard and has raised alarm among aid groups.

Speaking on National Public Radio (NPR) over the weekend, ambassador Kamau said, “We surprised ourselves. We have never in our history engaged in any kind of foreign adventure of a military sort. But I think what it is, is that matters did come to a head.”

“When you are dealing with a violent group of murderous individuals, you have to come to a point where you make a decision: Do you continue to allow the slow bleed to happen, so that the country becomes completely anemic and unable to function, or do you, after 25 years of living next to a failed state, make a decision that you can no longer afford to tolerate the situation?” he asked.

(Additional materials from: NPR and AFP)

Kenya should seek inclusive political roadmap for Somalia
Published on 19/11/2011

By Billow Kerrow

A month after our troops entered Somalia, political analysts continue to ponder on the political end game of this military incursion. Most commentators and political observers wonder what next after the military removes Al Shabaab. This raises the primary question – what is the objective of this war that the military says was abruptly conceived.

Our leaders have given varying comments on this matter. The Vice- President reiterated that Kenyan troops would stay as long as is necessary to stabilise not just Kenya’s borders but also Somalia and the region. The military, too, has given indications that we are in for the long haul. Initially, it was to rid our borders of Al Shabaab and secure it by creating a buffer zone known as Azania State.

In recent weeks, this appears to have been abandoned as the Somali President Sheikh Shariff trashed the concept of balkanising the country and undermining his nationwide authority. Ethiopia, which calls the shorts in Mogadishu, reportedly backed Shariff who had their tacit approval to deride the Kenyan invasion initially.

And this week, Sheikh Shariff was in Nairobi and brought along his close friend, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, to help him impress upon Kenyans that he runs Somalia or what is left of it, and that our troops should handover any captured territory to his TFG regime. It is clear that the Azania agenda seems to have been put in the freezer. They also succeeded in convincing Kenya to join Amisom if it wants its troops to push all the way to Mogadishu and ‘liberate’ Somalia as our leaders have called for in recent weeks.

This move limits Kenya’s unilateral mission of securing its borders and placing its troops under Amisom, an action that will also legitimise its actions in Somalia. Sensing the political landmines it got itself into, the Government has been on the diplomatic offensive globally to explain itself and get support for its mission. So far, many have welcomed Kenya’s move to defend its borders and fight terrorism. And except for the kind words, it is highly unlikely that these countries will reach for cheque books and draw some little cash for our efforts.

Except for a few skirmishes, the first month ended without any major battles. The army announced that it is focusing on humanitarian activities in the ‘liberated’ areas, a dumb move in my view. You do not go to war and start dishing out candies in the brief lull. The US premised its 1994 ‘Operation Restore Hope’ on humanitarian operations, but the warlords read a political agenda in the mission and went to war, forcing the US to capitulate.

The Somali population has so far remained indifferent or supportive of Kenya’s mission. The army’s decision to shelve its earlier warning of imminent attacks on ten major towns in southern Somalia was a wise move that prevented potential collateral damage that would have tipped the support among many Somalis.

The police have handled the expected ‘crackdown’ in Eastleigh and other parts of the country fairly well, with minimal victimisation, and focusing more on enhancing intelligence operations.

The PM’s visit to Israel seeking support to fight terrorism did not go down well with many Somalis. There is no love lost between the Muslims and the Jewish State and the move elicited negative reaction even in Somalia. It was a daft political move, lacking in strategic thought. It is similar to equally sterile thoughts by some of our leaders that Kismayu will be administered from Garissa once captured.

Somalia’s problem requires a political solution, not a military one. It is essential that Kenya and its allies seek an inclusive, broad-based political road map that will create a strong, centralised government. As we are the most affected in the long term, we must not tire of this process.

—The writer is a former MP for Mandera Central and political economist

EAC: The anti-islamist militia war in Somalia and Khartoum’s application for joining the Eac are expected to be top of the agenda of the Summit next week

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The war in Somalia and the Sudanese government application to join the East African Community are some of the top agenda to be placed on the table the forthcoming Summit of the Heads of State of the EAC in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The Summit, according to information emerging out of the Community at its headquarters in Arusha, has in its place full of complex issues that will determine the fate of the regional integration process.

The 13th Ordinary Summit is slated for November 2011 under the chairmanship of President Pierre Mkurunziza of Burundi,will be attended by all the regional presidents, and government sources in Nairobi have confirmed that President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya will be in attendance at the summit an take over as the next chairman.

Top among the issues on the agenda are the Somali war, admission of the Sudan to the EAC and the ongoing war against the Islamist Extremists Al-Shabaab militia in Somalia.

Other issues that the sources at Arusha say need the guidance of the Summit are the concerns and challenges of the political federation. Khartoum’s application to the EAC ahead of South Sudan –its arch-rival- is said to have the backing of Rwanda, but faces vehement opposition from Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya and the current chair Burundi, were reserved during the recent EAC Council of Ministers crucial talks held in Arusha.

Kharoum’s lack of proximity with other EAC member states to allow for sharing of services is one of the factors cited by Tanzania and Uganda.

Kampala has also been uncomfortable with Khartoum over allegations that Sudan hosted the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army {LRA} that waged a two decade insurgency in northern Uganda.

Khartoum’s poor human rights record also featured prominently during the meeting. Others, however, are of the view that Sudan can only join the community after Southern Sudan, which shares borders with Kenya and Uganda.

But President Paul Kagame of Rwanda was of the opinion that a bigger trade bloc offers more opportunities to regional economies.”We should be looking at it positively even though we are aware there are problems associated with this expansion,” President Kagame said at a press briefing recently in Kigali.

Lawyers and members of legal fraternity and Human Rights group Centre, said the head of states must remind themselves about the description the EAC before deciding whether it is rational to accept Khartoum or not.

“If the EAC it is just is just a name, then any country like Germany,. Nigeria Libya or France and even Italy could one day join the community. I really don’t whether EAC would still retain its name and the same meaning,” argues Miriam Matinda a lawyer with the Legal and Human Right Center.

The head of Information and Publicity at the EAC Secretariat Richard Okoth Owora was non-committal whether the green light for the Khartoum’s application to join the bloc was imminent.

The EAC Heads of state will look into the issues of economic sanction against the warmongering Somali politicians

Observers and analysts were however, quick in saying that economic sanction against Somalia are inevitable taking into consideration the recent Al-Shabaab activities inside Kenya.

The continue lack of security in Somalia is a threat to peace and security, EAC Sect oral Council on Cooperation in Dense recently proposed sanctions against all Somali politicians.

“Lack of engagement in the Somali crisis could lead to instability in the whole of East Africa region. Accordingly, there is urgent need to galvanize solidarity and more resource or this cause,” The Sectoral Council report says.

A recent meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Arusha adopted the decision of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defense and forwarded the same to the Heads of state summit for consideration and guidance.

Though both EAC reports are silent on the form of sanctions to be meted out, sources say it will involve travel bans and probably a freeze on financial assets of politicians considered to be obstacles to the Somalia peace process.

Ends

KENYA: ONYONKA’S STATEMENT ON ALSHABAB WORRYING

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from Judy Miriga

Folks,

This is truely sad. The Government is blundering and totally confused. Al-Shabaab’s head is in Kenya, and the tail in Somali, which means, the power of Al-Shabaab is in Kenya in Eastleigh, then, why not deal with those in Kenya and do a thorough clean up first. I now believe this is a conspiracy since the Government officials has indicted the Government to prove they are aware the Head of Al-Shabaab is in Kenya:

1) It is a way to solicit for money to support the war

2) Pre-empt for war to escape New Constitution implementation of Devolution of Counties so Kibaki and Raila can have an execuse for war to avoid election in August 2012

3) Instigate an offense to create mass killings against Kenyans by Al-Shabaab as a retaliation since the Government have been in to and forth consultations with Al-shabaab….

What can we say but to ask the Coalition Government that it has no more moral to provide security to Kenyans and protect Kenya from external terrorism invasion.

Kenyans stakeholders of Migingo have a right to sue Kenya Government from putting their lives in danger by allowing Uganda to invade Migingo, terrorize, manipulate, itimidate, steal and kill many Luo fishermen of Migingo. Uganda must be made to pay the County of South Nyanza/Nyatike in compensation.

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Government demand on Somalia president

Uploaded by standardgroupkenya on Oct 26, 2011

The Kenya government wants Somalia’s government to clarify their official position on the Kenyan military offensive in that country. The government says the military offensive against al shabaab was endorsed by the Somalia government and has been baffled by the announcement by Somalia’s president opposing the presence of kenyan troops in somalia. But, as ktn’s shem oluchiri reports, the government says the operation will not be halted.

‘Al Shabaab must down weapons for talks’

By Steve Mkawale and Cyrus Ombati

The Government has demanded that Al Shabaab militant group renounces violence as a condition for any negotiations to bring peace in Somalia.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka said on Thursday the Government was aware of the presence of Al Shabaab members in Kenya.

“The truth is Al Shabaab is frequently and constantly in touch with the Kenyan Government. The Government position has always been we are frequently engaged with all the stakeholders of crisis in Somalia. Our position has always been we must use both military, if need be and consistently diplomatic channels to try and negotiate and discuss,” Onyonka told journalists at a news conference at Parliament Buildings on Monday.

However, earlier Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua had denied Government plans to negotiate with the militant group, saying he was not aware of any such plans and that Kenya does not negotiate with criminals.

“There have been no indications whatsoever, and Kenya does not negotiate with criminal organisations like Al Shabaab,” said Dr Mutua.

Onyonka said discussions taking place were not based on whether Kenya military will be staying in Kismayu or Somalia but on achieving peace and security in that country.

President’s blessings

He said the military operation has the blessings of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed of Somalia.

“We have supported him and his Government. Amison troops are being killed in Mogadishu, he asked us to send the troops there. We delivered them. We have been defending and protecting him hoping he meant what he said,” said Onyonka.

Reports indicated the militia leaders were reaching out for possible negotiations two weeks after Kenyan troops stormed into Somalia to hunt for Al Shabaab, which Kenya blames for recent kidnappings of foreign aid workers in Dadaab refugee camp.

The militia is also accused of having kidnapped two British tourists from Kenyan coast in the past month.

Mutua said Al Shabaab has not contacted Kenya and that they would not talk to the gang even if they wanted.

Kenya declared self-defence justifies crossing the border with Somalia, saying a recent spate of kidnappings threatened its security and constituted an attack.

President Ahmed thanked Kenya on Wednesday for helping battle the extremist group two days after he accused the nation of overstepping its boundaries.

Mutua was speaking in Nairobi where he said Al Shabaab presents a clear and present danger to the security of the world and the East Africa region in particular.

He said African Union and Inter-governmental Authority on Development have sanctioned an intervention to rout out the terror organisation to provide peace in the region and to help the Somalia Government establish its authority.

Dismissed remarks

“The Government’s objective is to pursue and curtail the operations of Al Shabaab, which has become a threat to our security and economy,” said Mutua.

But Onyonka dismissed Mutua’s remarks, saying it was the policy of the AU and Igad to engage all sides involved in the conflict.

He said the military would withdraw if Al Shabaab renounced violence.

The Kenyan troops, he added, are fighting alongside those of the Transitional Federal Government of Somali and the strategy is to destroy Al Shabaab’s network within the shortest time possible.

“We have looked at the statements made by Ahmed. He does not want our troops to occupy a part of Somalia, and that is not our intentions at all. It has never been,” said Mutua.

— On Thu, 10/27/11, Joseph Lister wrote:

The economy is in tatters; the people’s purchasing power is on low ebb. Inflation has hit on the rooftops. The latest incidents of the Al-shabab militia have added insult to injury on the lives of Kenyan people. Its fear and fear everywhere.

On the streets, cafes, bus tops, and shopping malls, on matatu terminals, and inside churches; Kenyans are in perpetual fear when the next explosion will hit. Whenever one hears ambulance sirens in town or in the estates, the stomachs churns with butterflies; evoking memories of an explosion.

The Somalia militiamen have created havoc to our people; robbed us of our peace and made us prisoners in our own land. In fact, the life of Kenyans especially in the urban centres is similar to what the Israelis go through daily in city of Tel Aviv. Those of us living abroad are not in peace either, when we get a phone call by a relative, our hearts race due to the phobia of the Al-Shaban militias.

We applaud the government’s commitment to send our defense forces to Somalia to flush out the Militiamen. However, it’s shocking that the statement released today by the assistant Minister for foreign affairs Mr. Momoima Onyonka, left many Kenyans in suspense and anxiety. To opine that the government is aware of Al-Shabab’s underground deals in the Country is purely an act of omission on the part of the government.

We have already lost Kenyan lives, while others have been physically maimed. In North Eastern Kenya, O’ level students were inconvenienced from sitting for their exam paper because of the Al-Shabab.

Secondly, the same government now accepting the knowledge of the illegal militia’s operations in the Country including their financial dealings is extremely worrisome. Many of us are thinking bigger and deeper on Mr. Onyonka statement stipulated in the link below.

Truly, what will prevent some of our corrupt politicians from giving a safety haven to the Alshabab in exchange for campaign funds for next year’s elections? This is a solid fact. We saw many of our current leaders in the comfort zone when Kenya was smouldering in 2007/ 2008. They don’t care so long as their families are safe. http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Renounce+violence+and+we+will+negotiate++Kenya+tells+Shabaab/-/1056/1262828/-/txh96s/-/index.html

What the government should do if what Onyonka his saying is true:

1) Investigate how people running from a war torn nation will come to a foreign land and purchase property worth millions without questioning the source of their huge funds.

2) Fighting terrorism is similar to fighting drug cartels. Unless the flow of their money is nipped through garnishing their bank accounts, it will be elusive to break their cells. Without money, which they are using to entice jobless Kenyans like the suspect who appeared in court yesterday, this group will be toothless. You cut their money flow, you break their backbone.

3) Take stock of all properties which have been purchased with suspicious names or companies i.e. most buildings in Eastlands and lower Nairobi which are on the hands of Somalis.

4) Investigate the militia’s links with the business community, government bodies and individual politicians in the country.

5) Track down the militia’s funding through working with local banks and garnish all suspicious accounts related to this terrorist group. We can’t mortgage the lives of our people through blood money.

6) Use Kenyan Somalis to help with intelligence.

7) Sending an olive branch for negotiation with an amorphous illegal group is a sign of cowardice and must not be done if the government is confident to completely destroy the Al-Shabab.

8) There is a lot of spade work that need to be done in the home front even more than what our troops are doing in Somalia. Recent Al-Shabab attacks in Nairobi and Mandera attests to this point.

Taking drastic steps to protect Kenyans is a moral and political responsibility by the government.

— On Thu, 10/27/11, sang kip wrote:

Subject: AL SHABAAB IN KENYA:SUE THE GOVERNMENT!

By admitting that they have all along known where al Shabaab’s head is, the government has indicted itself.Anyone maimed or harmed by the terrorists can now sue the government for failing its constitutional mandate to protect it citizens.

Kenya: Why Somali President Wants Kenya Army Out

1 Reply

from Judy Miriga

Folks,

Kenya Calition Government saw this coming, they were cautioned, they were aware, the reason they brought Wetangula to take charge, now they cannot explain why Wetangula was brought back to take charge in the Office of Foreighn Affairs, and Kibaki and Raila are now dodging reality………Raila was in Kaya Bombo the the Kaya elders in Mombasa, is he not back so he can clarify matters……..???……..Only the Truth shall set us free people……..Both were not in Parliament to address this urgent and critical matter, they are both wishing it away………..The whole world are waiting for an answer and they are giving

none………..This is totally unacceptable………The both have run away from their responsibilities………..

We appeal to the United Nations and the World leaders to intervene mmediately and help Kenya to remove Al-Shabaab from Nairobi City in Eastleigh as well as those holed up in Mandera/Isiolo, some in Nandi Hills, in Lake Victoria, at Migingo, HomaBay and in Siaya..

The Al-Shabaab must be cleaned from Uganda and Tanzania as well. These are areas Al-Shabaab are hiding and are leaving under the comfort and protection of Government Provincial and District Heads of the Rural Villages and in the shoping centres in those areas…….. The Urgent problem is getting rid of Al-shabaab first Museveni and Konyi can be dealt with later….

Thank you all,

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Kenya: Why Somali President Wants Kenya Army Out
27 October 2011

Somali President Shariff Sheikh Ahmed is opposed to the deployment of Kenyan troops in his country because he believes it is an attempt by Kenya to create an autonomous Jubaland. Communication from as far back as March 2011 between President Shariff and President Kibaki shows that the Somali leader asked Kenya not to deploy to Juba region an estimated 2,500 young Somali soldiers who had been trained and equipped in Kenya.

Internal Security minister George Saitoti yesterday wrote to the Somali government demanding an explanation on President Shariff’s remarks as well as conflicting media media reports about the Somali government’s position on the ongoing military co-operation. “In the light of this the Kenya Government is seeking clarification of the Somali government’s position as it is essential to have a unified approach in dealing with the destabilization of Somalia by Al Shabaab and its threats to peace and security to Kenya and the region,” Saitoti’s letter read. “In the meantime Kenya with collaboration with IGAD and AU, is continuing with the operation against Al Shabaab.”

While Kenya wanted the soldiers it had trained to form a buffer between Kenya and the Al Shabaab-controlled regions around Mogadishu, the Somalia Transitional Government wanted them sent to Mogadishu to fight Islamist militia. Ethiopia too has objected to the creation of Jubaland mainly inhabited by the Ogaden and Merehan clans. Addis Ababa feels that would encourage separatist passion in the Ogaden Region of Ethiopia.

The decision by the Kenya government to recruit mainly from the Ogaden resulted in complaints from other clans. The Ogaden clan primarily lives in the Central Ogaden plateau of Ethiopia, the North-Eastern Province of Kenya, and the Jubaland region of Southern Somalia. They also inhabit Somalia’s major cities such as Mogadishu and Kismayo. The Marehan mostly live in Jubaland, Gedo and Lower Juba regions in Southwest Somalia and in Northeast Kenya. They are considered the most fierce nationalists among the Somali people and have always played key roles in both the Somali uprisings.

In a letter dated March 21 and addressed to President Kibaki, the Somali President acknowledges the role Kenya has played in training and equipping the army of youths. “Excellency we are particularly indebted for the training and equipping our forces in Kenya. We pray that a peaceful Somali and region will enjoy Strengthened friendship and prosperity,” states President Shariff. The letter was handed to President Kibaki in Nairobi by Somali Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.

Due to suspicions against his former Defence minister Ghandi, President Shariff in the letter to President Kibaki transferred the responsibility of the coordination of the youth recruits from Ghandi to then Defense Minister Abdullah Boss. “I write to you this letter to inform you that the bilateral security responsibilities including the coordination and follow up of Somali force training in Kenya that we previously assigned to our former Minister of Defense and current Minister for Air and Land Transportation HE Mohamed Abdi Gandi is hereby transferred to our current Ministry of Defense,” the letter says.

The Somali President further transferred the responsibility of regional administrators trained in Kenya to the current Interior minister of Somalia, Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig. “There are people who are unhappy of the training that you have provided for our forces and the regional administration and wish to deny this region and Somalia any peace and stability. We wish to correct this situation administratively by bringing the military force under the department of Defense and the regional administration under the ministry of interior,” stated the Somali President.

In late March 2011, Gandi hosted elders from the Marehaan and Ogaden – who are the main clans in Gedo and Juba regions of Somalia – at Chester House in Nairobi to discuss the stalemate in the deployment process. In the meeting Gandi discussed with the clan elders a possible withdrawal of support to the government.

Meanwhile, thousands of Somalis at the Dadaab,Ifo and Hagadera refugee camps yesterday held a peaceful demonstration against President Shariff and to voice their support for the military operation. Hagadera camp Chairman Kussow Abdi Nuni said they supported the intervention as frequent incursions into Kenya by Somali militiamen had negatively affected their peaceful stay in the country.

He said Shariff’s sentiments were out of touch with the reality on the ground as al-Shabaab had carried out frequent raids forcing humanitarian organisations working in the camps to scaled down or stop their operations altogether putting the lives of thousands of Somali refugees in jeopardy. “As the refugee community we have to be grateful to Kenya for giving us a safe haven for more than two decades. We condemn insecurity and that is why we support the Kenyan opearion in Somalia”, said Kussow.

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Somalia: Al Shabaab Claims Victory Over Southern Region Battle With Kenya
28 October 2011

Mogadishu — The Al shabaab fighters, which US alleges to be Al Qaeda’s surrogate in the horn of Africa, have claimed victory over fighting with Kenyan military in southern Somalia.

Sheikh Abdi-aziz Abu Mus’ab, a spokesperson for Al shabaab told the local press that they have battled with Kenyan forces just outside of Dhobley in Lower Jubba region.

The fighting started after Al shabaab fighters ambushed Kenyan military in Lower Jubba region, according to Al shabaab spokesman.

He said they killed a number of Kenyans and burnt down five of the military wagons during the combat. Three of the burnt down wagons were dragged back by Kenyan forces, the official added.

The Al shabaab movement has vowed they will keep on their struggle against what they called Kenyan incursion in Somalia.

For his part, Abdinasir Sayrar, a spokesperson for Rasmkaboni group, speaking to Shabelle has denied the claims made by Al shabaab.

Kenya has not released any comments about the fighting on Thursday so far.

Al-Shabab Leader in Somalia Calls for Attacks Against Kenya
Posted Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm

An al-Shabab militant leader in Somalia is calling on his followers to carry out huge explosions inside Kenya, in retaliation for Kenyan troops going into Somalia to try and stop the Islamic militants.

Sheikh Muktar Robow says tossing grenades is not enough. He is urging the militants to strike what he calls big painful blows.

Kenya sent forces into Somalia this month in pursuit of al-Shabab, which Kenyan officials blame for the cross-border kidnapping of several foreigners.

Kenya says its troops had their first direct clash with al-Shabab Thursday.

The army says about 45 al-Shabab fighters attacked the soldiers near the southern Somali town of Qoqani. It says Kenyan forces killed nine militants while two Kenyan soldiers were wounded.

The army also says it carried out an airstrike on an al-Shabab training camp and has captured the town of Busar.

A Kenyan government spokesman says Kenya’s goal is to destroy al-Shabab in the shortest time possible. He said the militants present a clear and present danger to the region.

At least four Kenyan government workers were killed Thursday when their vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in northeastern Kenya, near the Somali border. Wednesday, a Kenyan man who admitted to being a member of al-Shabab, pleaded guilty to one of two grenade attacks that took place in Nairobi earlier this week. One person was killed and more than 20 wounded.

Tags: Kenya, Militants, Somalia, Th, Upd
Posted in Africa

Kenya & Samolia: Security has been tightened up in the Kenyan capital following threats by terrorists to strike in revenge of its invasion of part of Somalia

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Security has been stepped up in Nairobi and its environs following threats issued by al-Shabaab militants who have vowed reprisals to protest a military offensive against them.

Members of the public have been urged to call emergency lines 999, 112, 020 272 41 54, 020 355 6771 or 020 355 67 80 in case they have anything suspicious to report.

Security agencies have been mobilized in the city and put on alert in case of a possible attack from the militants.

Major installations and places frequented by crowds have been mapped and accorded adequate security, officials said on Tuesday.

Nairobi Provincial Police boss Anthony Kibuchi said they have enhanced security in the city and intelligence mechanisms to secure the city.

He urged city residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest police station or police officer near them.

“It all starts with us and we must defeat these criminals threatening our peace. Let everyone be vigilant all the time,” he said.

Police and especially those from anti-terror unit plan a major operation in the city to arrest sympathisers of the militant group who are hiding in estates.

Al-Shabaab militants, through their spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage, announced on Monday that they intend to carry out revenge attacks to protest the military operation against them inside Somalia by Kenyan troops.

The Kenyan military forces have so far seized two towns, which were previously held by al-Shabaab militants, some 100 kilometres inside Somalia and they have vowed to get further inside.

On Tuesday, Military Operations Information Officer Emmanuel Chirchir said they were expected to seize the third al-Shabaab controlled base inside Somalia.

Maj Chirchir said military forces were driving into Afmadhow town, about 160 kilometres from the Kenyan border to fight off the militants.

Major Chirchir says dozens of al-Shabaab militants have been gathering around the town but no clash between them and Kenyan forces had been reported.

The Kenyan forces, heavily armed and using helicopter gunships and tanks initially concentrated their offensive on the Qoqani region, 100km from the Kenyan side.

Defence Minister Yusuf Haji vowed that the forces would not relent on their efforts to fight off the militants who have been blamed for a series of abductions since 2009, the latest of them being of four European women seized from Lamu and Dadaab refugee camp.

SOMALIA & KENYA: WHY KENYA WON’T WIN AL SHABAAB WAR

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from People For Peace
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

Whether a helicopter that crashed at the Kenya-Somalia border killing five military personnel on Sunday was not brought down by enemy fire as the Department of Defence alleges, the fact still remains that Kenya has entered a war that it will never win. The chopper was part of a heavy military deployment in pursuit of al Shabaab militia following insecurity on the Kenya-Somalia border.

Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for a car bombing in Mogadishu that killed more than 50 people on October 4/ File

Before Kenyan troops and tanks crossed the border into war-torn Somalia Sunday the Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab offered Kenya a grim warming. “Kenya violated the territorial rights of Somalia by entering our holy land, but I assure you that they will return disappointed, God willing,” warned Sheikh Hassan Turki, a senior Al Shabaab leader. “Mujahideen fighters will force them to test the pain of the bullets.”

Last month at least one Kenyan soldier was reported dead and three others injured after coming under roadside bomb attack that took place in the border between Somalia’s Belet Hawo and Kenya’s Madera district. The bomb explosion was heavy as it could be heard in parts of Kenya border areas, according to local residents. No comments about the bomb attack were immediately available from the government of Kenya.

In July a roadside bomb targeted to Kenyan military checkpoint in Mandera district, which locates Kenya-Somalia border killed at least four Kenyan security forces. A witness told Shabelle Media Network that 8 others injured in the attack. “The bomb exploded as Kenyan forces were busy in searching the people traveling between Somalia and Kenya” he added.

The forces of Kenya had launched large security crackdown at the border area, according to the eyewitness, noting that at least 70 people were arrested. No group has claimed the bomb attack, but it came as the government of Kenya stepped up its internal security against a back drop of terrorist attacks from al shabaab which threatened to attack neighboring Kenya.

This is not the first time al Shabaab has warned it would attack Kenya. In February this year it threatened to attack neighbouring Kenya for training Somali government forces and allowing Ethiopian troops to operate from its towns.

“Kenya has constantly disturbed us, and now it should face the consequences of allowing Ethiopian troops to attack us from Mandera town,” al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told a news conference. Kenya has been a victim of al Qaeda strikes twice in the past — a 1998 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi and an explosion at an Israeli-owned hotel at the coast in 2002.

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang refuted allegations that Kenya is training al-Shabaab militias but instead is training recruits to help the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The troops were seen undergoing training at the Kenyan coast.

If it is true of what Kajwang said then it can confirm why the al Shabaab threat to attack Uganda and Burundi for taking their soldiers there to fight them. That is why al Shabaab claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings in the Ugandan capital Kampala on July 11, which killed 79 people watching the World Cup final on television.

Since then Burundians are living in perpetual fear of terrorist attacks from the Somali al-Shabab. Al-Shabab is known to implement its threats. It warned Uganda and Kenya and carried out its threats. It was also behind the blowing up of a Ugandan coach bus in Nairobi in December 2010.

Burundi deployed its first troops in the Somali capital in 2007. Together with Uganda, they have to date deployed some 8,000 troops to Mogadishu to serve under the African Mission in Somalia, Amisom. A number of Burundian and Ugandan soldiers have been killed in Somalia, mostly in bomb explosions.

The worst Burundian casualties occurred in February 2009, when an al-Shabab car bomb killed more than 10 Burundian soldiers, including the Force deputy commander.
The Islamists also killed another six Burundian soldiers and injured more than 10 when Somali government troops supported by Amisom peacekeepers got into another battle in Mogadishu.

Kenya is launching an attack after two female Spanish aid workers were seized on Thursday by gunmen from Kenya’s crowded Dadaab refugee camp, the world’s largest with some 450,000 mainly Somali refugees. Tens of thousands of Somalis have arrived in Dadaab this year fleeing drought, famine and conflict in their home nation.

Al-Shabab, or the “youth”, is a Muslim group that aims to overthrow Somalia’s transitional government and impose sharia rule. Somalia has been without an effective government since the overthrow of the despot Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, allowing a flourishing of militia armies, extremist rebels and piracy.

The international community has made many attempts to prop up transitional and reconciliation governments over the past two decades, but the country has inevitably continued to fall to the control of various tribal warlords and Islamist groups.

While Kenyan Defence Minister Yusuf Mohammed Haji says: “If you are attacked by an enemy, you are allowed to pursue that enemy until where you get him. We will force them far away from our border,” some Kenyans fear their country could become a target for more al-Shabab attacks if it becomes more deeply embroiled in Somalia’s conflict.

Yusuf says article 51 of the UN charter allows them to send its soldiers inside Somalia. According to the article nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.

Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

This article has been cited by the United States as support for the legality of the Vietnam War. According to that argument, “although South Vietnam is not an independent sovereign State or a member of the United Nations, it nevertheless enjoys the right of self-defense, and the United States is entitled to participate in its collective defense”

But even so, article 51 has been described as difficult to adjudicate with any certainty in real-life situations. Kenyan government used the article to justify their move to send its army into southern Somalia to pursue al-Shabaab, which it blames for a series of kidnappings inside its territory.

The biggest military action in Kenya’s recent history comes five years after Ethiopia invaded Somalia with US approval and air support – an action that ended in ignominious withdrawal and helped to create al-Shabaab in its current form.

Al-Shabaab responded to Kenya’s move by calling for a holy war: “Are you ready to live under Christians?” one al-Shabaab official shouted on a radio station in southern Somalia. “Get out of your homes and defend your dignity and religion. Today is the day to defend against the enemy.”

Even though the UN charter might have allowed Kenya to send its troops inside Somalia, the UN-backed transitional government, which controls the capital Mogadishu with the support of 9,000 African Union troops, said it was not consulted before Kenyan forces crossed the border.

“As a sovereign country we cannot condone any country crossing our border,” Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohamed Ali Nur, told The Independent Sunday. He said while Kenya had the right to protect itself, it should do so within its own territory: “We will not allow any country to invade us.”

Al-Shabaab is very difficult to defeat due to its tactics of classic guerrilla tactics–suicide bombings, shootings, and assassinations. The group is believed to have formed in mid-2004 as the military wing of the Islamic Court Union, a radical group that controlled much of Somalia before being ousted by the Ethiopian army in a U.S.-backed invasion in 2006.

Al-Shabab’s membership is estimated to number in the thousands; its fighters are identifiable by their red-and-white scarves. The group began fighting Ethiopian troops and the weak interim government almost immediately after the invasion; today it controls large areas of the nation’s central and southern regions.

Members of the hardline Al -Shabaab Islamist rebel group parade through the streets of Mogadishu. Picture: File

Al-Shabab’s members are very clear about their objective: to overthrow Somalia’s government and enact the strict Islamic law known as Shari’a. The group has banned music, videos, shaving and even bras in the areas it controls and maintains control through often brutal methods. Women accused of adultery are publicly stoned to death; teenaged thieves have had their limbs severed.

Like the Islamic Union and Islamic Courts, al Shabaab believes that religious governance is the solution to Somalia’s ills. In addition to Shari’a, Al-Shabaab has implemented other rules designed to help it maintain power.

It has implemented rules directed at journalists “requiring that no reports be disseminated of which the administration was unaware, that only ‘factual’ news be presented, that nothing detrimental to the practice of Shari’a be reported, and that no music be played on the radio that encouraged ‘sin.

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578

Kenya: Moi Says He Is Ready to Dialogue With Raila; Invasion to Africa using Policing Thuggery;

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from Judy Miriga

Folks,

Isn’t that interesting……..The Molasses, Luo Thrift, Specter and Dominion factor is spilling the beans in Luo Nyanza………The reason Lake Victoria and Migingo is at stake involving Museveni and Gadaffi………The Invasion to Africa using Policing Thuggery recruits paid by Public funds that which facilitates Somali Pirating, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, Mungiki and joining the African Mercenaries for Gadaffi’s terrorism guerrilla war, will not be accepted or allowed by good people of the world………

It is no longer a secret that the connection of International Special Interest of the “Birds of the Same Feathers” are after Control and Power under non-controlled facilities by the Government on their “Free Trade” of looting and plundering……..the reason they do not want Majimbo/Federal Governance to be implemented.

Food security for the poor under all circumstances is utmost necessary and paramount important. It is against ethics in the International Treaty, under UN Humanitarian grounds to inflict organized sufferings and hunger on the poor. Any type of engagement that which prejudices accessability to food under an organized conspiracy network is against ethics of United Nations International Treaty, and is a violation and Crime against humanity.

These cartels are in a Big Mission to fortify backroom deals so to generate Free Trading Block for “Birds of the Same Feathers” all over the world o control Food and Fish export to Arab and Middle East Nations, while in addition spilling African poor Blood for Diamond and Minerals and for Oil for Petro Dollar……God forbid……this people are making life in bondage unbearable and impossible to the Local ordinary voiceless Poor in their oppressive Regime Gang of quest for power in Rulership……….Corruption, Graft and Impunity is their Cup of Tea……. This MUST stop NOW………

People….!…. this is why Gadaffi’s stolen accumulated goods and properties are being protected by the two Principles in the Coalition Government………and with Gadaffi in Zimbabwe, covering under African Union………it is business as usual………We must be watchful and smarter and agree to disagree……..

Therefore, we must stand together with all good people of the world and must unite to save mankind from perishing in the hands of these selfish Special Interest, who are connected Internationally, using the corrupt Chinese and Indians with other sneaky Religious Groups under Special Interest, as operating Agents so to avoid pain and sufferings including mass massacre of innocent African poor people. It is because, this is not the will of God upon creation………BUT, With Gods Blessings the noose is getting tighter for them………

In Unity of purpose and for Mutual Partnership for Trade to benefit all fairly, in the give and take, we believe we shall overcome through sharing in Love. God in His Glory, is able to see us through to a beautiful world where there will be no more pain or suffering……It shall not be long……..We will soon see the Promised world of Peace, Love and Unity sharing in the Natural Blessings of God with our cups overflowing……..

The Truth Must Be Told…………and it is the Truth that shall set us free indeed……………..

Cheers everybody……..!!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

On 9/4/11, Ericson Oduya wrote:

I wonder what kept them apart yet they are birds of the same feather. When they start dialoguing they should be bold enough to tell us candidly how the molasses plant changed hands in the Kanu/NDP merger.

Regards,

Eric.

Moi Says He Is Ready to Dialogue With Raila

By Augustine Oduor
Standard Online
September 4, 2011

Former President Moi said he is ready for dialogue with Prime Minister RailaOdinga despite their long running political differences.

Mr Moi said, “Even if I have different views it does not matter. We should not differ at all. We can sit around the table and even eat because we are guided by love,” Moi, who seemed to be offering an olive branch to the premier, said even if people differ on principles, they should sit together and share a meal. The retired President was speaking during the wedding of Raila’s third-born son, Raila Junior Odinga, in Nairobi on Saturday. Raila said unity among Kenyans is paramount and noted that tribalism is dead.

“This animal called tribalism is dying. Tribes only exist in people’s imaginations. We can make a great Kenya if we shun divisions,” he said. The premier said he has roots among the Luhya, noting that tribalism must not be a deterrent to people’s goals. Raila Junior married Yvonne Wambui Kibukosya, the great-grand daughter to Peter Kibukosya, a patriotic Kenyan who helped write the nationalanthem.

Moi’s former aide Joshua Kulei, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Central Bank Governor Njuguna Ndungu, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, several Cabinet ministers, and MPs attended the wedding.

Moi said Kenya has come a long way and grown up to what we see today and stressed the importance of love and unity for the prosperity.

“What is key is the future. We should unite even amid the difficult times that we are facing as a country,” he said.

Moi added that Kenyans are well educated and cautioned against advice from outsiders who want to help interpret the Constitution.

“The Constitution is so complicated and people should not take it simply. I would not like people from outside to tell us what to do,” he said.

Libya: Gadaffi Threat to World Security
Hassan Ole Naado
11 July 2011

opinion

In a show of defiance, Kenya’s acting minister for Foreign Affairs Prof George Saitoti has said that the government will neither sever links with the embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi nor freeze the regime’s assets until advised otherwise by the African Union.

Prof Saitoti said Kenya supports the AU position that seek an amicable solution to the Libyan crisis, and will not bow to pressure from any other quarters to isolate the Libyan strongman whose regime is under siege from rebels and Western powers.

Western powers, especially the US, citing UN Security Council Resolution 1973, have asked Kenyan authorities to cut diplomatic ties with Gaddafi and freeze the regime’s assets.

Hence, when Kenyan authorities say they will not cut ties with Gaddafi or freeze his assets, it means that they are even prepared to defy the United Nations and stand in solidarity with Gaddafi. And for Kenya to take such a risk, it means that Gaddafi is such a strong ally.

Kenya is not alone in this matter. There are many other countries in Africa, Middle East and Latin America who are prepared to remain in solidarity with Gaddafi to the extent that even if the Libyan strongman is eventually toppled, they will still support him wherever he will go.

Therefore the international community should be careful when dealing with the Libyan crisis because, unlike Tunisia and Egypt where people’s uprisings easily toppled the regimes of Presidents Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak respectively, the rebels in Libya have not yet been able to topple Gaddafi. Why?

Gadaffi’s regime has not collapsed as easily as those in Tunisia and Egypt because indeed Gadaffi has been ‘a man of the people.’ Unlike Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak whose regimes had isolated the majority and left them in abject poverty, Gadaffi used Libya’s oil resources to empower his people economically, making most Libyans to feel part of the system.

Through his brand of Arab autocratic brand of communal socialism overlaying Islam, no Libyan was marginalised economically. The government provided free education, social amenities and youth unemployment was minimal.

And Gaddafi used the oil resources of his country to finance other poor governments across the world, making him the darling of many African, Middle East and Latin American leaders. Gaddafi built mosques for communities in several countries and office complexes for government institutions in countries like Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, etc. He also invested heavily in various countries thus boosting their economies.

Gaddafi has also genuinely assisted many African governments, especially the AU and communities. That is why even Kenyan authorities are not willing to cut ties with his regime. Even the anti-Gaddafi forces in the Libyan uprising have not accused him of presiding over economic marginalisation, plundering public resources, or creating unemployment. They have only complained about his highhandedness and lack of freedoms.

In fact, Libya under Gadaffi did not have any foreign debt and was living within its means. Despite his follies, Gadaffi should be credited with empowering his people economically unlike Ben Ali and Mubarak in Tunisia and Egypt.

Gaddafi had a very elaborate intelligence system, and his brand of socialism succeeded in building a very close-knit society loyal to him. He had a wide circle of friends outside his country that included traditional chiefs, student leaders and elders.

Was it necessary for NATO to move in with deadly force to destroy Libyan infrastructure and economy just to get rid of Gadaffi? Wasn’t there a better way to deal with Gadaffi without destroying the country? Why did the international community fail to understand that the method of uprising in Tunisia and Egypt could not apply in Libya?

I ask these questions because there is no doubt that Libyan rebels, with the assistance of NATO fire power, will eventually get rid of Gadaffi. But they will not succeed in getting rid of the regime entirely because the Libyan system of government was much more than Gadaffi- it is an entrenched system both within and without Libya especially in the African region.

So, what happens when you get rid of a leader but leave behind his entrenched influence? The answer is simple- the influence transforms itself into an insurgency.

It is likely that Gadaffi’s large following will retreat into the shadows after he is overthrown and may even transform itself into a terrorist group that will soon pose a greater danger to international security. Gaddafi himself has said he will take the war to the doorsteps of the Western powers that have attacked his regime.

The international community should take this threat very seriously because if, God forbid, Gaddafi and his forces turn into a terrorist group, he will be a huge threat to international security because he is likely to get immense support both in Libya and around the continent.

The writer is the CEO of the Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance and the Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims.

Hassan ole Naado is the CEO of Kenya Muslim Youth Allinace and deputy secretary general of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims

Balala accuses UN of conspiracy, vows to continue giving to Islam
By Brian Otieno
Monday, August 01, 2011

Tourism minister Najib Balala has accused the UN of using diversionary tactics to cover its failure to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and Kenya, and to fight piracy. Balala was mentioned in the UN Monitoring Group report on Somalia and Eritrea as having unwittingly funded the al-Shabaab through a donation to reconstruct the Pumwani Riyadha Mosque in Nairobi’s Majengo area. The mosque is the oldest in Nairobi.

Speaking during a free medical camp in his Mvita constituency, Balala maintained that he has no links with al-Shabaab and that his donation was made in good faith for the benefit of Islam. “My commitment is to my religion. My commitment is to Islam. I know I’m clean. I will continue donating for the good caurse of Islam,” said Balala.

He admitted having attended the fundraiser, but denied ever seeing, meeting or knowing Ahmad Iman Ali, the alleged chairman of Muslim Youth Centre. “I have never met the said Iman. I was invited to the fundraiser by Abdallah Ndope, the chairman of the Pumwani Mosque committee. “He confirmed to me that the money I donated was used in the reconstruction of the mosque, which I have personally proven and inspected,” said Balala.

He said he gave the Sh100,000 donation during the fundraiser and sent a further Sh100,000 at a later date and confirmed that the money was deposited in the mosque’s official bank account at Habib Bank, Koinange Street, Nairobi. The bitter Balala accused the UN of conspiring against Islam. He accused the West of intimidating the Arab world and especially the Middle East into cutting the funding of Islamic projects in Africa, particularly in East Africa. “They have failed to deal with piracy which benefits the West.

Now they want to further intimidate Muslims to stop them from donating money towards the construction of mosques. “It is our obligation as Muslims to help the poor and donate towards Islamic projects, especially construction of mosques,” said Balala. He said he is consulting and will be in a position to know what course of action to take after gathering all the facts. “I have instructed my legal team to look into the matter objectively and give me a report on Tuesday so we can see what next,” said the Mvita MP who received rare support from his political nemesis Kisauni MP Hassan Joho, Mombasa mayor Ahmed Mohdhar and Mvita aspirant Abdulswamad Nassir.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Hassan Omar also threw his weight behind Balala saying the report unfairly taints the image of Muslims donating money towards good project. “We must defend what is true. Let us not make a big issue out of a simple goodwill act of donating towards the construction of a mosque,” said Omar.

Speaking during a public forum on the constitution in Mombasa at the weekend, the human rights activist said such kinds of reports may bring differences between Kenyans, which might eventually destroy the country. Balala was particularly bitter that the UN never consulted him to verify some facts despite admitting that they have no evidence of his wrongdoing. “Why put names of individuals in reports if you have no evidence?” posed Balala

Somalia: America Bans Kenyan With Links to Al Shabaab As Balala Vows to Sue UN
30 July 2011

The US Treasury Department announced on Friday that it is imposing financial sanctions on a Kenyan described as both a key figure in Somalia’s al Shabaab insurgency and the leader of a mosque in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate.

Hassan Mahat Omar is said by the department to have decision-making authority regarding the internal, political and operational affairs of al Shabaab, which the United States calls a terrorist organisation.

The US move on Mr Omar comes as Tourism minister Najib Balala threatened to sue the UN Monitoring Group for Somalia and Eriteria for linking him to the activities of al Shabaab.

Mr Balala told journalists at the Mvita Clinic in Mombasa that he had instructed his lawyers to start legal proceedings against the UN group.

It claims in a report that Mr Balala attended a fundraiser in support of Riyadha mosque in Nairobi’s Pumwani area in September 2009 and donated Sh200,000 which was wired to an account operated by the Islamist movement that controls much of southern Somalia.

“I am a Kenyan Cabinet minister who is always peaceful and tolerant. At no time have I caused any trouble or harmed anybody.

I am always available, but the UN Monitoring Group did not make any effort to seek me for a comment on such a serious matter,” said Mr Balala.

But international law expert Prof Kithure Kindiki cautioned that the minister’s legal proceedings against the UN may not go far since the institution and its staff are shielded from prosecution while in the course of performing their duties.

“It is zero work. He cannot sue the UN for defamation,” said Prof Kindiki.

One can only sue the UN on grounds of commercial disputes such as a breach of contract but not for criminal law issues unless they involve international crimes, Prof Kindiki said.

Mr Balala said he donated the Sh200,000 in good faith to support the rehabilitation of the mosque, adding that at no time had he supported the activities of al Shabaab.

He said that as a Muslim leader he was in the forefront in condemning the recruitment of youths to join al Shaabab and wondered why the UN linked him to the terrorist group.

The minister said his donation was banked at Habib Bank for the purpose of the rehabilitation of the mosque and dismissed the report that the cash was wired to al Shaabab.

“I am a Muslim and therefore I will continue to support development projects which benefit our community. But I will never fund terrorist activities because I am a peace-loving person,” he said.

In the report, Mr Omar as well as others are said to use the Eastleigh mosque to “raise funds, recruit and disseminate propaganda on behalf of al Shabaab,” the department said in a statement.

Mr Omar was born in Garissa and carries a Kenyan passport, according to the statement that forbids US citizens from engaging in financial transactions with Mr Omar and freezes any assets he may have under US jurisdiction.

The Treasury Department took the same action with regard to Omar Hammami, an American citizen known as Abu Mansur al-Amriki. He is said to serve as a military tactician and financial manager for al Shabaab.

Separately, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to re-establish the UN Monitoring Group on Eritrea and Somalia for a 12-month period.

Reported by Kevin J. Kelly in New York, Jacob Ng’etich in Nairobi and Mathias Ringa in Mombasa.

Sudanese rights group says “Khartoum violates Sudan constitution and national peace”

2011-09-04 13:10:17 THE SUDAN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION -CAIRO Press Release Khartoum violates Sudan constitution and national peace September 3rd, 2011 — In gross violation of the Transitional Constitution and the (…)

Uganda: Al Shabaab Man Arrested on U.S. Plane to Country
Tabu Butagira & Andrew Bagala
23 July 2010

A 20-year-old man accused of providing material support to al Shabaab militant group that claimed responsibility for the July 11 bomb attacks here has been arrested in New York, US authorities announced on Wednesday. He was arrested as he tried to board a plane to Uganda on July 10, a day before the suicide bombers struck in Kampala, killing 76 people.

Information posted on the Federal Bureau of Investigations website indicates that Zachary Adam Chesser alias Abu Talhah Al-Amrikee, in an affidavit filed in court told federal agents he attempted on two occasions to travel to Somalia to join al Shabaab as a “foreign fighter”.

His communication

Originally from Fairfax County in Virginia, Chesser, in a series of interviews with federal law enforcement agencies, allegedly discussed in detail how he maintained several online profiles dedicated to extremist jihad propaganda.

These profiles, court affidavits indicate, were allegedly used by Chesser to post online pro-jihad messages and videos, including an article detailing the pre-requisites involved in living for jihad.

Investigators say Chesser, a follower of jihadist steps, tried to travel with his toddler son as a “cover” to avoid detection. It has emerged that after the Uganda errand, the man planned to connect to Somalia, the home of al Shabaab that the United States government designated in February 2008 as a terrorist group.

“This case exposes the disturbing reality that extreme radicalization can happen anywhere, including Northern Virginia,” said Eastern District of Virginia attorney Niel MacBride.

“This young man is accused of seeking to join al Shabaab, a brutal terrorist organisation with ties to al Qaeda. These allegations underscore the need for continued vigilance against homegrown terror threats.”

Chaos in Mogadishu

Last night, wire news agencies reported that the al Shabaab had besieged the Presidential Villa in Mogadishu, forcing African Union peacekeepers there to shell indiscriminately into the capital’s residential neighbourhood.

About a fortnight ago, an unnamed senior Department of State official, in a background briefing to journalists in Washington D.C., said al Shabaab was recruiting from American soil and expanding operation bases in East Africa and Arab Peninsula.

The official, without giving specifics, said: “I think there have been a number of instances over the past year where individuals have left the United States and travelled to Somalia.”

Ugandan authorities last night welcomed the arrest of Chesser as a significant breakthrough in combating global terrorism. “I am glad about the arrest,” the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said shortly after returning from Nairobi. “That shows there is no way one can fight terrorism without collaboration and coordination with sister security agencies of other countries since terrorists are global themselves.”

Al-Shabaab recruit from Kenya killed in Somalia
May 7, 2011 | Filed under: Africa,East Africa,Featured,Horn of Africa,News,Somalia,World News | Posted by: Nasongo Willy

Nairobi (Alshahid)—An alshabaab fighter recruited from Kenya has been killed in Gedo region of south central Somalia.

The body of the Kenyan fighter was found near Garbahaarey town.

According to the sources, the partially decomposed body of the foreign Al-Shabaab fighter from Kenya was discovered by pastoralists who called in local residents and had to bury the body according to Islamic teachings.

Before the burial, local residents led by traditional elders, searched the deceased’s pockets to extract any documents or things that might help them identify the place where this foreign terrorist came from.

“We searched his pockets and found Kenyan ID with pieces of papers written in Swahili and English” Said local resident who requested not to be identified.

It’s worth mentioning that, Kenya has been for years a key crossing point for international terrorists into Somalia with the direct facilitation and complicity of the Kenyan Government.

On 22nd April 2009, a key notorious Somali radical Islamist who is also a Russian trained Ex-colonel “Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys”, a frequent feature on the US terror watch-list used a Nairobi-based airline Capital Airlines to fly to Mogadishu from Eritrea under the supervision of Kenyan intelligence officers. The Somali government had written a protest note to Nairobi accusing it of aiding one of the men on the US list of wanted terrorists shortly after the incident.

Furthermore, on 2nd August 2008, Al-Qaida leader named Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, (a.k.a. Haroun Fazul), narrowly escaped capture in Kenya according to Kenyan newspapers reports. The US government claimed that Fazul had important roles in the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, and the 2002 hotel bombing in Mombasa.

According to Kenyan news papers, Kenyan police raided a house in Malindi, a town on Kenya’s coast. Two passports bearing Fazul’s picture but different names were found, as well as his notebook computer. A Kenyan newspaper reported that a local police officer may have tipped off Fazul about the raid minutes before it took place. A half-eaten meal was discovered in the house, and the television was still on, leading police to believe that he ran out of the house minutes before they had arrived. Fazul however is currently believed to be inside Somalia. He is in charge of the East African recruits (mostly of Kenyan origin) with Al-Shabaab Islamist militia,a group considered by many as Al-Qaida’s proxy in the horn of Africa.

The bare truth is that Kenya is become a fertile ground for recruiting foreign fighters for the Somali based alshabaab rebels and their sponsors alQaeda terrorists.

Somalia: In the Line of Fire- Somalia’s Children Under Attack

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from Yona Maro

South and Central Somalia has been the scene of armed conflict since the collapse of Siad Barre’s government twenty years ago. Children born in 1991 in this part of Somalia and who are entering their 20th year have never known respect for human rights, peace, the rule of law and an effective government. Amnesty International delegates interviewed refugees who had recently fled Somalia, to get as much as possible, an up-todate description of the situation in their country. This report also includes testimonies from adults who suffered human rights abuses when they were children, or who shed light on children’s experiences.
http://www.amnesty.ch/de/laender/afrika/somalia/dok/2011/rekrutierung-von-kindersoldaten-ist-kriegsverbrechen/ai-report

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Kwa Nafasi za Kazi kila siku www.kazibongo.blogspot.com

http://worldngojobs.blogspot.com/ Nafasi za Kazi Kimataifa

Somalia: Let the world stage a bloodful coup now!

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From: Elijah Kombo

I support PM Raila’s comment that Somali refugees are not running away because of insecurity. The world should send direct food aid to Somalia as opposed to feeding Somalis in Kenya. This will pose a security problem in future.

Despite the beautiful beaches, coral reefs and beautiful people, Somalia is not an easy place to stay and live. I have been in Somalia for approximately three years, and i would like to say that peace is elusive in that land. Thousands of Somalis are undergoing starvation right now. The figure is understated. Its millions of Somalis that are actually experiencing famine. Famine is everywhere in Somali and no place can claimed is better off. Somali has not had a working government for decades now. The geographical terrain is difficult for the international community to conduct proper surveillance of the militant cells.

While i was working as NGO worker, i had an opportunity to travel to most places in Somali including Mogadishu, Bender Bayla, Hergeiza, Galkayo etc. The situation is the same everywhere. The US through one of the UN agencies had sent in spies to spy on the airstrips. But nothing could warranty their safety. The White House was not able to strike. There is no definite target in Somali. Civilians are same militants – no known camp to target, therefore any strikes means innocent civilians will be affected! The US simply dropped the idea of revenge after a humiliating experience. Until now, they will never have a strategy for Somali and world super powers are avoiding Somalia.

During the reign of Abdullahi Yusuf, Somali was almost to gain peaceful transition. But the many factions in Somali – supported by different terrorist groups couldn’t allow that. I witnessed hundreds of murders in cold blood by militias at least in several places i traveled. During this period, East African countries were still receiving refugees. The same hooligans who were not happy with Yusuf followed him at his residence in Nairobi only to be thwarted by Kenya’s dreadful Reece group. Adan Mohamed Nuur took over as interim president which ushered in a pro-west Sharif Ahmed who was keen to ensure Somali gains self independence and self governance with full functionality. The man has received a lot of resistance from Somali Diaspora who apparently are funding several militia groups in the region!

Somali diasporas have the highest responsibility of blame. They fund the militia groups with impunity. In Kenya, we have several exchange bureau that are benefiting from money transfers to militia groups in Somali. Al Shabaab hs tried to infiltrate the larger Somali – funding passing through these money changers in Nairobi. Even some INGOs have been paying rebates to Al Shabaab as administrative costs – funding Al Shabaab in retunr for favour to operate in areas managed by this group of militants. Puntland had been peaceful -thank God for the good governance of Abdullahi Yusuf. Al Shabaab is operating in Mogadishu and some part of the South. Here, they receive millions of funding from INGOs and individuals, some operating from Kenya.

With a ;population of approximately 8.2 million, its possible for the world to step in and restore peace once and for all. The world need to unite and ensure that Somali diaspora are monitored and their wealthy controlled. INGOs need to be closely monitored, and companies of Somali origin need also to be checked. I am confident that Kenya can play a key role in Somalia and ensuring that long lasting peace is in place. The complications here is the Arab world that is using Somali as a milking ground for fundamentalism and terrorism in the name of fighting the infidels.

Famine is Somalia has escalated due to lack of a central government. Al Shabaab is making it hard. Famine is a form of holy war for this dreadful group of terrorists. Kenya alone has been the fertile ground for Somali terrorists. Its time that even during this famine period, the world think on invading Somalia and restoring long lasting peace and flash out terrorism. The sharks in the Indian Oceans are hungry, and the world can feed them with Al Shabaab militants. The resources that have been used in Libya should have been directed at Somalia. Then we would have a genuine humanitarian reasons to step in a solve the crisis once and for all. Children are dying, women are suffering..men are fighting a holy war!

Other declaring famine as a disaster in Somalia, the UN should have declared Somalia as a stateless nation and ensure steps to restoring sanity in the minds of the Somalis. The hunger stricken refugees will never want to return to Somali again. Therefore camps in Dadaab and Ethiopia need to be prepared for another decade of feeding. With their policy of 5 children per female – the refugees from Somali will increase in numbers. Where will the world be with such unplanned population? The UN and AU should start a bloodful takeover of Somali from the dreadful militias. Let their be few who will suffer, but the long lasting results will be admirable. Only then, we will avoid persistent perpetual penury that is causing insecurity in the world and more especially in East Africa

Kombo Elijah
(No prejudice – we must help the famine stricken community – and deal with other things later)
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Kenya: Money launderers; Al-Shabaab & border trade

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forwarded by Judy Miriga

Money launderers having a field day in Kenya
By Dann Okoth

The country is again at the centre of attention because of money laundering.

This comes on the heels of the controversy over narcotics trafficking involving high-ranking Government officials and politicians whose sources of unexplained wealth have raised eyebrows.
. . .
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000030499&cid=4&

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Al-Shabaab threats stall Kenya-Somalia border trade
By Boniface Ongeri

Sulub Ahmed regarded an entry point on the Kenyan-Somalia border as his ‘farm’ while the State viewed it as a goldfield.

The more than 800km border stretch buzzes with lucrative trade involving second hand cars, spare parts, petroleum, textiles, electronics, foodstuffs, construction materials and satellite dishes and other imports from the war-torn Somalia.
. . .
http://m.standardmedia.co.ke/headlines.php?id=2000035116

Somalia: The World’s Most Corrupt Countries

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From: Eric Wabwaya Mburi

That beleaguered, warn-torn disaster of a nation of Somalia tops Transparency International’s latest list of the world’s most corrupt countries. The former Italian colony of 9.8 million people on the Indian Ocean, long racked by civil war, has become a capital for piracy and terrorism with little capacity for any government at all, let alone an honest one. It ranks 1.1 on Transparency’s 10-point scale.

And it’s hardly alone. Following closely behind are Myanmar and Afghanistan, each ranking 1.4 and each tremendously corrupt in its own way. Myanmar, formerly Burma, is run by a junta of generals who have plundered the nation’s timber, minerals and natural gas and led the U.S. Treasury to slap sanctions against more than 100 of its leaders including the wife and son of No. 3 official General Thurs Shew Mann.

Another war-torn nation, Iraq, came in fourth on the corruption index. Squabbling between the Shiite majority and Sunni minority, still unused to being out of power, has delayed the formation of a government but corruption among the country’s administrators and judiciary is rampant.

After Iraq come the usual suspects: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Chad. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are former Soviet republics burdened with corrupt governments that look a lot like what they suffered under when the Russians were in charge. In Uzbekistan, according to the U.S. State Dept., the “law does not forbid government officials from acting as ‘consultants,’ a common method of extracting payment.”

In Chad, the scene of vicious infighting over the spoils of a massive oil development project and pipeline, government officials have mastered a one-two approach to corruption, the State Dept. says: “In some cases, tax and customs authorities may facilitate evasion only to return later to pursue the infractions they facilitated.”

The central African nation of Burundi is a new arrival to the bottom 10. Largely dependent on coffee exports, the country has had a democratic government since the end of civil war in 2006 but remains challenged in the area of ethics. “Officially, Burundi has a number of laws and regulations prohibiting corrupt practices such as bribery, nepotism, preferential hiring and promotion and embezzlement,” the State Dept. says. “In practice, these measures are rarely enforced.”

Also new to the list of the 10 most corrupt is Equatorial Guinea, which has vaulted from desperate poverty to incredible wealth–for the leaders, anyway–since the discovery of huge offshore oil deposits in the early 1990s. Riding the wave of wealth has been President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who’s dominated the government of this West African nation since he led a coup d’etat in 1979.

Transparency International annually ranks the world’s nations on their index of corruption (a scale of 1-10). Northern European countries, with Denmark, Finland and Sweden, top the list with nearly pristine scores of 9.2 or more. South Africa came in 54th place, meaning we’re not great, but not that bad…yet. Here is the list of the ten worst countries:

Ja’kamburi

Uganda & Somolia: Museveni want Somalia to be declared no fly zone in order to curb the illegal supply of arms

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has called for a no-fly zone to be imposed over Somalia in a bid to curb the influx of arms and the terrorism activities in the war-torn country.

The President made the call yesterday during a closed-door meeting with the 15-nation team from the UN Security Council.

He proposed that the no-fly zone be enforced by the big powers which have aircraft carriers based in the Indian Ocean.

“If such a move is implemented, it will reduce the influx of arms in Somalia by over 70%,” Museveni reportedly told the delegation. The delegation was led by Uganda’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

Museveni also told the delegation that the countries that are willing and capable to send troops to the Horn of African county should be supported, and that those which cannot provide troops should fund the operation.

He reportedly told the meeting that the insurgencies fighting the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) are not Somalis but al Qaeda insurgents from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

At a press conference after the meeting, Museveni reiterated Uganda’s commitment to send more troops to Somalia.

Museveni (centre) with the security council team and Ugandan government officials at State House, Entebbe

He said it was the duty of the international community to help Somalia regain its sovereignty.
The President called for financial support to increase troop levels in the AMISOM. Uganda and Burundi are the only countries that have contributed troops to Somalia, with Uganda contributing the highest number.
“The number of troops is not the problem. If there is everything we need, we can raise the number but they (rich nations) must bring the money,” the President said.

The UN delegation, which was in Uganda for a one-day tour, was not specific on the kind of support it would give to AMISOM. The team later left for Sudan, where it will visit Juba, Darfur and then Khartoum.

Museveni warned the team against any delay in holding the referendum to determine the autonomy of Southern Sudan. He urged the UN to put in place the structures needed for a free and fair referendum in Sudan slated for January 2011.

“The referendum is very crucial and delaying it is highly risky. It is better to involve the UN in the organisation rather than waiting to see what happens after the results,” Museveni reportedly told the delegation.

He pointed out that the African Union did not support the International Criminal Court’s indictment of President Omar El Bashir because they thought it would jeopardise the peace process in Sudan.

Museveni also dismissed a recent UN report on DR Congo that accused Uganda of several human rights abuses and war crimes during the conflicts in the 1990s as a “concoction and lies.”

“These international groups are fictional writers. They should look for other subjects,” he said.

Museveni defended the army, saying it followed a strict code of conduct and could not torture civilians.

Ends

Jaluo dot Kom

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Category Archives: Somalia

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Uganda & Somolia: Museveni want Somalia to be declared no fly zone in order to curb the illegal supply of arms