Africa- Human Rights News- Italian Nuns kidnapped in Kenya, by Somalians

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. BBC World News 10/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sparking an international incident- involving the Italian government, Catholic Papal Nuncio in the region, the Kenyan government, and Somali elders- Somali gunmen have kidnapped two Italian by citizenship Catholic Nuns. The two reports of the incidence differ, with an aid worker claiming they were taken in a gun battle by a church, while another source, the Red Cross- says they were kidnapped at their place of residence.

Kidnapping, and terrorism are considered evil in themselves by the Roman Catholic Church structures, and theology. The area of Kenya where this happened, the BBC says largely has many Somali descendants living in it. Somalia is in a state of humanitarian crisis, has no effective governance, and is in the midst of a civil war. Kenya likewise has seen the murder of many for political reasons, and accusations of electoral fraud. The Kenyan authorities claim to be in contact with Somali elders, to try to attempt some kind of securing of reclaiming the nuns for freedom. Catholic targets are beginning to appear as especially favorite targets for militants in the region, due to repeated attacks on Catholic targets, along with aid workers which are kidnapped and killed by Somali groupings.