Kenya bans Somali flights in a major terror crackdown

[RaP-FaNaTiC]

Kenya bans Somali flights

in major terror crackdown

 

By MBURU MWANGI - Daily Nation -Nairobi - Kenya

 

The government yesterday banned flights to Somalia and closed Kenyan airspace to planes from that country in a security operation aimed at preventing a possible terrorist attack.

 

At the same time, a major security operation by the Anti-terrorism Police Unit and the General Service Unit continued in Nairobi's Eastleigh area, home to thousands of Somali refugees.

 

The swoop started on Friday and continued throughout the night and most of yesterday. About 100 people, mostly young men, were taken in for questioning.

 

At the same time, the US embassy in Nairobi has been closed until possibly Wednesday in what US officials are describing as "new and concrete information concerning the continuing threat of terrorist activity in Kenya and East Africa".

 

The closure came as it was confirmed that US President George Bush would be visiting Africa next month, but would not come to Kenya, again because of "security concerns".

 

Mr Bush will start his six-day visit, his first to the continent, on July 7 and is expected to visit Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria, according to the White House.

 

Though the intended destinations were not announced before the original trip, which was postponed because of the war in Iraq, Kenya was among the countries likely to be visited. It has now been ruled out.

 

On the closure, the embassy said it was part "of an effort to review and adjust internal security procedures and to vary embassy hours in view of the ongoing security threat in Kenya".

 

Because of the threat, the embassy said, there has been an "authorised voluntary departure status" for American mission personnel and a warning to US citizens against travelling to Kenya. Opening hours will continue to be changed as a security measure, the embassy said, though efforts would be made to ensure all business, including visa and other consular matters, was attended to.

 

The US embassy closure comes at a time when European countries are relaxing their travel advisories on Kenya. France, Belgium and Germany have all withdrawn travel warnings.

 

At Wilson Airport all air traffic to Somalia was stopped and no aircraft from that country was to be allowed to overfly Kenya.

 

Traders and passengers to the war-torn Somalia were stranded in Nairobi and miraa (khat) worth millions of shillings lay at the airport.

 

Relief flights to Somalia were also grounded.

 

There was tight security at the airport, used exclusively for charter flights, and business was at a virtual standstill as most aircraft scheduled to fly to Somalia remained in hangars.

 

In the Eastleigh swoop, the the anti-terror unit backed by the GSU was in action in an operation that the security brass, including Police Commissioner Edwin Nyaseda, the head of the anti-terrorism unit, Mr Mathew Kabetu and the GSU Commandant Lawrence Mwadime, remained tight-lipped about.

 

The government would also not comment on the US embassy closure, promising to issue a statement today.

 

The decision to ban flights was communicated to traders at 6.30am after their cargo arrived from the Maua farms in Meru at 4 am.

 

At least 13 flights carrying miraa leave the airport every morning to various towns in Somalia where the mild drug is in popular demand. The flights ferry more than 500 bags of the twigs to Mogadishu, Kismayu, Galkaayo and Baladweyne towns.

 

There are also many daily relief flights to Somalia out of Wilson Airport.

 

A terse Government signal from the Civil Aviation Authority to all airports said: "No flights to/ from Somalia and overflights originating from Somalia are allowed to operate in Kenyan airspace."

 

Captain Hussein Mohammed, who is in charge of flights at Bluebird Aviation lamented that although the ban was effected at dawn, aviation companies were only issued with the signal, known in aviation jargon as notice to airmen (notamn) after 2 pm.

 

He said he himself was issued with the notamn by the acting director of air traffic control, a Mr Nyikul. The notice was issued under the instructions of Defence Permanent Secretary Sammy Kyungu, the Sunday Nation learned.

 

A miraa trader, Mr Rashid Warer complained: "What has miraa got to do with terrorism? This is all the work of America."

 

On the Eastleigh operation, Nairobi police provincial boss Joseph Kimenchu told the Sunday Nation by telephone that the swoop was aimed at smoking out robbers and illegal aliens but would not elaborate.

 

Last month, a circular by National Security Minister Dr Chris Murungaru instructed hotel and lodge owners in the area to ask for identification papers of all guests checking in.

 

Civic leader Kullow Ibrahim Haji urged the government not to harass area residents in the pretext of fighting terrorism.

 

"Our people should not be harassed for no reason. The police should not take advantage of this anti-terrorism issue to harass innocent people. They should also not act on false information to victimise innocent citizens."

 

Mr Ibrahim has been to many police stations, trying to make contact with those arrested.

 

They are reportedly being held at Embakasi, Kasarani and Pangani police stations, though it not known if or when they would be charged in court and with what offence.

 

Most of those being questioned are young men between the ages of 15 and 30. The operation was concentrated on the Third, Fourth, Twelfth Streets of Eastleigh's First Avenue.

 

The streets are home to many Ethiopian and Somali refugees.

 

On May 14, Dr Murungaru issued a statement that security forces had been placed on high alert after intelligence reports said Kenya and its neighbours were targeted by terrorists.

 

One of the suspected terrorists, he said, was Abdulla Mohamed alias Harun who was said to regularly visit Kenya and Mogadishu. His picture was released to the media to assist in the manhunt.

[nuune]

they american will achieve nothing from closing their embassy,even the flights that are stopped is not good for kenya,look the economy and dhaqaalo they used to get form the miraa!

the foriegn minister of kenya said new york is more worse than kenya in terms of murder,so he said kenya has no problem,don't you(ameriacns) create problems in our land since we are a friend of every nation,that was his speech

[Bokero]

One cannot blame Kenya? what else can one do if you are bordered with a country infested with druged militia, rapists and thugs. A country that is enable to defend its people let alone the security of its neigbours.

 

Somalia's failure is what is reflected in kenya's decision. The consiquence of having Somalia as neigbour is clearly seen in the number high number of gun crime in kenya all bought cheaply in chaotic Somalia.

[rudy-Diiriye]

bokero! i do respect your opinion! but bro! what u said is what the kenyan authorities r doing to poor helpess refugees! by raping and beating them w/o any due justifications.

 

as they say, proof is in the budding, if u have some, plz share. otherwise! plz dont just point fingers w/o any merit. thx

[Bokero]

Rudy

Put urself in Kenya’s position. They have a porous border with the only country in world with no gov't how unlucky can u get?

Second am sure u cannot deny guns to criminal in Kenya come from Somalia just go to garissa and u will see the trade in full swing.

Thirdly i said Kenya decision is reflects Somalis position. Here i mean is that Kenya can take any decision regarding Somalia in secure position that Somalia has no govt to retaliate.

 

so our failure to govern ourself has made our beloved nation into a safe place for drug exporters, small arm traders etc

[Paragon]

Hey guys, I found another article that relates to this story...ila akhrista

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Somalia Flights Banned as Kenyan Government Steps Up Terrorism War

 

ACJ East African Correspondent Hussein Ali Soke reports on the American influence on Kenya's actions to prevent terrorism and asks "Why Kenya?" and "Why Now?"

The Kenyan government on Friday banned all flights to and from Somalia following renewed threats of terrorism. This followed a decision by the US government to close down its Nairobi embassy, and raise the threat level to 'high'. The US Defense Intelligence Agency cited intelligence sources that indicated that Al-Qaeda operatives in Kenya were going ahead with plans to conduct an attack on US interests. The warnings were apparently issued based on specific information about a threat on a specific target.

 

The US ambassador to Kenya had on Thursday evening expressed his dissatisfaction with the Kenyan government's handling of terrorism arguing that the government was doing little despite growing threat that terrorism cells are known to be very active in the country. He argued that the dismantling of the terrorists infrastructure should be a matter of priority for the new administration pointing out that the FBI should not do what ideally is the role of the Kenya n government; namely arresting terrorists.

 

How grave are these threats? And why Kenya?

 

Kenya has suffered numerous terrorist attacks in the last five years. On August 7 1998, the US embassy in Nairobi was blown up by suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists, killing over two hundred Kenyans and twelve Americans. Just last November 28, terrorists struck again blowing up an Israeli owned hotel near Mombassa killing 13 Kenyans and three Israelis. In both cases Kenya lost more people.

 

As can be deduced therefore, the country has suffered immensely in a war that its citizens understand little about, and which continues to grow by day.

 

This brings me to my second question: why Kenya?

 

For long Kenya has been a very strong ally of the west. Indeed Kenya stood steadfast with the west during the cold war. It continued to support and adopt western style liberal democracy in the New World order that followed the end of the cold war. The country has significant presence of western interests, and investments in sub-Saharan Africa and majority of western installations, diplomatic corps, and international agencies such as UN are headquartered in Nairobi. The US embassy in Nairobi is the second largest in Africa after Egypt both in size and operation. The country has a relatively superior and financial infrastructure and relatively stronger economy. A lot of western governments and agencies continue to micro manage their operations in Sub-Saharan region from Nairobi.

 

Kenya has also enjoyed a very warm relationship with Israel, a fact that has not been taken kindly by the Muslims in the country due to their feeling that this is tantamount to legitimizing Israel's occupation of the Palestinians, while totally ignoring the plight of their Muslim brothers. Several demonstrations have been held by the Muslims in Kenya in the past few years, who have lobbied the Kenyan government to rethink its foreign policy towards Israel, and to sever the relationship with that country.

 

Aside from economic reasons and the sentiments, what makes Kenya a favorite for Terrorists?

 

A variety of factors can explain the terrorists’ penchant for Kenya. The country's open, and friendly posture coupled with lax security and Immigration laws make it easier for a would be terrorist to blend easily. Indeed the chief mastermind of August 1998 bombing, one Odeh, was able to enter the country, acquire citizenship and Kenyan passport, marry from the local community, and go on to establish a fish business that is believed he used as a cover whilst planning the embassy bombing. In the previous Moi regime, corruption and inefficiency heavily undermined the ability of the government to provide security to its people. This was due to the fact that crucial services related to security such as the police, immigration and border security (customs) were commercialized to the extent that they become goldmines for the civil servants who worked in those departments. It became very easy to slip into the country and do whatever one wanted provided you had the money to pay bribe s to relevant persons.

 

Another factor is Kenya's geographical location. The country's proximity to the Middle East has significantly made it attractive for Middle-Eastern terrorist groups. The country also has a very diverse culture and it has been easy for one to blend in despite the origin. Amore growing threat however has for long been lawless Somalia to the East. For the last twelve years, Somalia has been without any central authority, or formal government. This followed the civil war that led to the ouster of the late dictator, Siad Barre. Despite progress made to reverse the trend notably in the northern region where the autonomous republic of Somaliland continues to be stable and vibrant, significant pockets of the country continue to be lawless. The former capital Mogadishu is still tattered and controlled by more than ten warlords each controlling a tiny segment of the city. The southern part of Somalia continues to be awash with arms and under control of rag tag bandit militias. In shor t anarchy rules. Arms can be easily acquired and transferred, and all illegal transactions that cannot be sanctioned in other countries, continue to be undertaken, because of the lack of any formal authority to regulate the business environment. The warlords continue to reap immensely in this arrangement while the majority of the population wallows in poverty. Such a scenario makes the country very active for terrorists with enough money to easily operate. In the last terrorist attack on Paradise hotel in Kenya, terrorists were suspected to have acquired the handheld rocket launcher that was to be used to down the Israeli Jetliner from Mogadishu where such a weapon is believed to sell for only 300$.

 

In the Strategic Survey 2002/2003, published by the Institute for Strategic Studies, the US believes that supporters of Al-Ittihad al-Islami which it brands as a ''Somali terrorist organization with links to Al-Qaeda'' have infiltrated some of the refugee camps in North Eastern Province, and made their way to Mombassa and Eastleigh, both places known to have significant pockets of Somalis. The report further singles out the coastal region inhabited mostly by Muslims of Arab origin as potential areas for recruitment of youth by Al-Qaeda due to massive unemployment occasioned by decline in tourism.

 

The threat posed by the Somalia to the east has always been an issue of concern to the Kenyan government. Indeed the rise in armed crime in Kenya over the last decade has been attributed to among others the apparent ease of acquiring arms in Somalia and the active smuggling of the same through the numerous porous, often unmanned entry points in the long border the country shares with Somalia. Attempts to pacify the region and form a semblance of authority has always come to cropper with successive peace negotiations (the latest currently underway in Nairobi) always turning out to be a theatre of the absurd, and a circus of failure. Without progress in the formation of government in Somalia, that threat will continue to be there, and this could explain why the government moved in to ban flights to and from the country.

 

How effective is the measure though?

 

Banning all forms of flights (including aid flights) will not do much considering that the bulk of flights to and from Somalia are relief and khat (a mild intoxicant consumed by Somalis) flights. Very few commercial flights are available between the two countries. It also pales in significance if you consider that the real threats are from porous borders on the long boundary the country shares with Somalia. Unless both are enforced, exclusively banning flights will do little to bolster security. The government also mounted a huge security operation in Eastleigh suburb of Nairobi yesterday (21/06/03). The operation led to the arrest of 26 aliens (24 Somalis and two Ethiopians as reported by the 'Daily Nation'). Again both measures are cosmetic and superficial. Arresting illegal immigrants (and desperate refugees) may not do much if you don’t address the underlying condition, mainly lax immigration laws and custom security. Terrorists are known to have enough financial outlay to purchase necessary papers and cover. They don’t just run the streets. Indeed the US government has for long linked an Al-Qaeda cell at the coast with drug and diamond smuggling. Simply rounding up illegal aliens is both misplaced and absurd.

 

This again leads me to another question: why now?

 

A lot has happened in the country in the last few months. Last November, terrorists struck and blew up an Israeli tourist hotel in the coastal city of Malindi, killing thirteen Kenyans and three Israelis. Their attempts to down an Israeli jet taking off from Mombassa, failed when the missile missed the jet by a whisker. The event happened in the run up to the general elections, which ended the long reign of president Moi and a new popular opposition government under president Kibaki was installed. The new government was alive to this threat, and indeed the president made statements on the same. The international environment also changed significantly in the run up to the war in Iraq. Significant pressure was exerted on governments the world over to fight terrorism and support Washington's war on terror. In most cases US aid was pegged on willingness to join in the war on terror. Kenya was not spared, mainly due to its vulnerability and history.

 

The infant administration of Kibaki has demonstrated their eagerness to step up measures to fight terror mainly by scaling up the war on corruption in all sectors and significantly opening up governmental activities to media scrutiny. This involved intelligence and police work as well. The government has closely cooperated with US and British intelligence services to maximize these efforts and have bolstered airport security significantly.

 

The government went a step further and formed a special anti-terrorism police unit mandated to fight terror. Key arrest have been made recently in a daring snatch operation in Mogadishu where Kenya's special forces picked up and handed over to the US a key suspect involved in US embassy bombing in 1998. Just last month, the minister for internal security, in a very bold move issued information to the media that indicated that a suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist one Abdulla Mohammed Alias Harun, had slipped into the country from Mogadishu and was planning a major attack. This information led to the cancellation of British and Israeli flights by their respective governments. The extreme decisions by the two governments flew in the face of the bold move by the Kenyan government. Critics argued on whether the decision was warranted and why it seemed the country was being punished for being open and bold. A more measured approach would have involved working together with the governmen t to downgrade the threat by enhancing the capacity of the Kenyan government to respond to that threat. The decisions by the two governments coupled with travel advisories issued after that by the US and European countries severely affected the crucial tourism sector leading to massive cancellations of bookings and the losses stand at one million dollars a day according to the foreign minister Kalonzo Musyoka. The multiplier effect to the entire economy is immense. Tourism is a critical industry in Kenya representing 15% of foreign exchange earnings and 12% of GDP, constituting an eighth of the economy. Government’s revenue has been significantly reduced at a time when the new administration is marshalling all resources to implement development programs that will put Kenya on its feet again after years of misrule.

 

Put simply the Kenyan government is frustrated. In the words of the foreign minister writing in UK's 'spectator' on June 5th ‘‘slowly but surely a network of government issued ''travel advisories'' is systematically shutting down the world''.

 

The infant administration feels let down by the hypocrisy of its 'allies' in the war with the minister further arguing that ''if the world is increasingly acknowledging that international terrorism is a threat in any place and at any time, then there is a grave injustice that there is one rule for Heathrow and another for Jomo Kenyatta international airport. Did some anonymous caller remove the threat to Heathrow? I doubt it, yet the tanks went home.''

 

Whilst the government continues to allocate meager resources to scale up measures to improve security, this is not appreciated. Indeed in the words of the foreign minister ''Kenya is paying a hugely increased bill to protect British aircraft that are not even landing at our airports''. He passionately appealed to the British government ''to come and put your tanks on our lawns if you must'' and not to ''bankrupt one of your oldest friends in Africa.''

 

As other nations are lifting travel advisories more recently France Belgium Hungary and Germany, the actions of the US and the British governments are being perceived by Kenyans as unfair and unjust. The new government has a huge responsibility on its plate. It has formulated ambitious development programs aimed at economic revival after years of stagnation. It increasingly seems however that all these will have to take a back seat, as the government has to continuously bend on its back to fulfill American conditions and mitigate the harm of American/British reactions.

 

Hussein Ali Soke

East Africa/Horn of Africa Correspondent

African Conflict Journal

 

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