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| Africa Horn |
| Counter-terrorism crackdown in Kenya 'Under-reported or Exaggerated' |
| 2014-05-03 |
| GAROWE, Somalia -- The ongoing counter-terrorism crack down on Somali refugees in Kenya received mixed reactions from Somalis abroad and at home and international watchdogs, with challengers accusing Kenyan government of violating laws, Garowe Online reports. The sweeping security operations in Nairobi's Eastlight dominated the headlines of Mogadishu-based media agencies but the veracity is behind the closed doors according to analysts who have been closely following the clamp down since early April when Kenyan authorities commenced to round up illegal migrants. Despite startling discrepancies, independent sources in the neighboring country of Kenya tell GO that Somali ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur America played a vital role in extending steadfast support to the victims of Eastlight operations. Political Revenge Leaving the harsh treatment of Kenyan police forces aside, Somali people responded to the mass deportation of illegal Somali migrants differently. Speaking to GO on condition of anonymity a key official within Federal Government of Somalia has disclosed that the Federal Government initially showed extreme reluctance in the wake of Eastlight crackdown. On Sunday, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Mahad Mohamed Salad received ambassador Nur at Mogadishu's Adan Adde International airport, citing consultations over the arrest of consular official Siyad Mohamud Shire. Shire was briefly held by Kenyan police. Speaking at a joint press conference with Nur, Federal Government of Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Shiekh Ahmed Mohamed urged Kenya to respect the dignity and rights of Somalis. "The Somali government has been in constant communication with the Kenyan government on these detentions and would like to see the government of Kenya make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent Somali citizens," Mohamed said in a press statement from his office." The Somali government also seeks an official response from the Kenyan government on the arrest of the Somali consular to Kenya, Siyad Mohamud Shire, which is a serious violation of diplomatic immunity". President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud looked with envy at Kenyan Defence forces' stabilization efforts in the southern port city of Kismayo shortly after his victory in the country's presidential elections. Following the seizure of strategic Kismayo seaport from Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants in Septemper 2012, Mogadishu-based Federal Government overlooked at key plans and proceeded to distorted accussations on Kenyan-AMISOM forces. GO learned in late 2013 that presidential aides were paying media houses in Mogadishu to spread anti-Kenya propaganda in response to the consolidation of Jubaland Peace Process. Though Kismayo suffered from two decades of armed conflict over the control of the lucrative seaport and the fertile hinterland along Jubba river, the local communities stood by Jubaland administration in support of peace and development. Kenyan diplomat spawns controversy A Kenyan delegation reportedly led by Hillary Kyengo, a consul assigned to Jubaland visited Kismayo in step towards greater cooperation in various fields between Jubaland and Kenya. "We came to Kismayo to meet the Kismayo leadership , the IJA [Interim Jubba Adminstration] leadership and we succeeded in meeting with president and some of the ministers.We are here as a Kenyan delegation because we would like to establish closer relations with the IJA administration and very soon we [will be openning] a liaison office here in Kismayo so that we can foster issues," Kyengo said on arrival at the airport. Jubaland leader Madobe alongside ministers and traditional leaders welcomed the Kenyan officials to Kismayo. Addressing participants at an event marking International Labour Day at Justice ministry complex in Mogadishu, President Mohamud rebuffed the presence of Kenyan consul on Jubaland soil and added that he was in contact with Kenyan government. "With the exception of Kenyan ambassador to Somalia, Kenya government proved to us that no consul was appointed to a vicinity in Somalia," noted Somalia President. Kenyan Police Brutality Versus tiny ties Photographic images and footage posted on Somali news sites and You Tube show the extent of brutality being exercised by Kenyan Police as ethnic Somalis devoid of legitimate papers and refugee cards faced harsh treatment. The detention of innocent Somalis moderately shook the fledgling ties between Mogadishu and Nairobi.The recall of ambassador to Kenya revealed the scale of diplomatic relations as well as weaknesses within the bilateral cooperation. Somalia's plea for smooth repatriation of illegal migrants in Nairobi remains outstanding priority for the public, nevertheless the infiltration of terrorists into the peace loving communities plunged the Kenyans into bewilderment. New menace loomed over the tiny ties but a more robust mutual coordination might disclose remedy and another scenario. |
| Posted by:Steve White |