Kenya, drought a "National Emergency"- Kenyan government

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters' Alertnet (Article by Reuters:Secular; Independent; Based in great Britain; Global)09 / Jan / 2009; CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Kenyan Government, has declared a "National Emergency", after a drought "has" allegedly rendered +-10 000 000 (Ten Million) Kenyan Citizens "Food Insecure"; according to a Reuters article; via AlertNet: which quotes the Kenyan government. This situational report, by Reuters: is largely based on a release, by the office of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's office, even as Reuters, but not the Kenyan government: notes the role of violence in the situation. Kenya, has seen human rights violation related accusations, and electoral violence in recent times, and accusations: of death squads, and the resulting reduction in tourism, a recent drought has hit it hard.

Kenya, will now, among other measures: begin to import: 5 000 000 (Five Million) additional bags of maize due to a shortfall: largely blamed on 2007 election violence, which resulted in +-1 300 (One Thousand, and Three Hundred) deaths, and +-300 000 (Three Hundred Thousand) people being driven from their homes, due to violence.

Both the Kenyan government, and working independent of them, Catholic Relief Services, are attempting to minimize the damage done by an alleged Drought and Famine, which is affecting many citizens in Kenya. The role of election violence, and allegations of Government death squads, and political persecution in this, possibly, could have increased vulnerability to the situation. Most of the efforts, seem to focus on basics, such as food, water, and farming products. CRS, is helping supply food, according to their dispatch (CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009).

For those who want to help:

CRS, forwards one to a donation page: from the article they wrote on their efforts:
https://secure2.convio.net/crs/site/Donation2?1080.donation=form1&df_id=1080

It seems to be their general donations page, but I may be mistaken on this, but possibly, one can write in the "Special Request" section, where they want the money to go: I am unsure of this.

A good thing about, our source on this: US based CRS: is that CRS, has a good ratio: of direct funding towards communities, versus the cost of their work.

Kenya: more general Overview:

Kenya, was once one of Africa's so-called: shining stars, however, electoral violence, and purported human rights abuses, along with drought, and famine: have harshly affected, what once was a nation, seen, perhaps falsely as a hope for many.

In previous articles, we have covered, the political situation in Kenya, having stabilized somewhat at this stage. Recent events, however: show a government, made up largely of people, seemingly more interested in their own political success, than in the success of their country. The global economic downturn, will likely also affect such nations: but with such a makeshift government, the chances are, that problems in Kenya, won't be ultimately solved overnight. Efforts, at helping populations make it through such trying times: however, can make differences in lives, just as efforts in Zimbabwe, and the DRC (Congo), have paid off somewhat.

Corruption, and accountability in Africa

What Kenya, and much of Africa: truly need at this point, is accountability for actions, politically, and in business. That a situation, such as the one: over, or perhaps caused by alleged vote rigging, and alleged political human rights abuses: has occurred: has made Kenya less able to deal with life threatening situations.

Great Lakes Region, Africa: Ugandan Rebels: LRA: want peacefire

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. IOL (South African; Secular; Independent) 06 / 01 / 2009; AlertNet (article by Reuters: British; Secular; Independent) 07 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sorry for the lag in articles, we have been doing important local work, but are resuming service properly, we have of course: kept news, but have not published stories on all of it here.

On Tuesday: the "Lord's Resistance Army" (LRA): accused of mass murder by the Catholic Umbrella (Social Justice/ Humanitarian/ Charity) grouping: Caritas Internationalis, among others, but still denying many claims: has desperately called for a peace treaty: after the armies of three nations joined in offensive to drive the group accused of massive human rights abuses: from the (DRC) Congo.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the (DRC) country, it was reported by Reuters: yesterday, that a mediator: of talks which occur in Kenya: has asked for a temporary ceasefire, between the Congolese government: and these other rebels. This second conflict is the one which made most major news stations, after tens of thousands fled their homes. The first made newspapers: with the attack of a Catholic church, and slaughter of those inside of it.

Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Africa: Theft of ships causing diversion of shipping from Suez to Cape of Good hope, by some big shipping groups

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 18/11/08; Reuters (Secular) 17/11/08; Associated Press 18/11/08; Sky News Channel (Secular) 19/11/08; Other Sources (Largely Secular) ??/??/??)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters( 17/11/08; 18/11/08;) , the London based news Firm, is reporting the effect of the consistent hijacking of ships by pirates in Somalia- currently in a civil war. Unlike other News Services- they have said that there is no major move to the cape route (18/11/08). Ships, however, many carrying "dry cargo" or electronic equipment are being diverted from the quicker route of the Suez Canal, via the Gulf of Aden, having had, or noted of issues with Somalian Pirates: taking rather: the long route from before the Canal was created- around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Cape of Good Hope is located in Cape Town, in the Western Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. Insurance costs of taking Suez are estimated by a source in shipping: quoted by above mentioned Reuters:  to be one probable reason, however major Middle Eastern Oil producing nations have not yet hinted at any diversion, despite the recent hijacking of a Middle Eastern oil carrier. A reason sited by a shipping company withdrawing: is the risk faced, not by companies, but by crews of ships. There is also disappointment in the lack of support from the authorities and governments: in combating the piracy: whether or not this disappointment is warranted will be seen in coming weeks.

The civil war in Somalia between their Warlord president and Islamic rebels, has resulted in the government controlling less than half of Somalia's territory, with Rebels now controlling what seems an ever-growing amount of ground. When two Catholic religious were captured as hostages in a raid, by terrorists in nearby northern Kenya, and brought back to Kenya's Neighboring Somalia, the Somalian Government, appears to have had to ask Kenyan help to try resolve the issue.

Reuters, which reported firstly on the diverting of shipping, appears to have done a more extensive analysis: via an interview of a shipping company not quoted as pulling out: one day later, which saw the issue as not a major factor. All sources noted some ships being redirected to avoid the Gulf of Aden.

The extend of the diversion: will be determined by how effective promised efforts by the European Union: to stifle the hijacking of ships in the Gulf of Aden will be.

North Africa, Somailia, Africa- Italian Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya safe- Elders negotiating release

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters 15/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters is reporting the answer to the prayers of perhaps- millions. A Representative of the Kenyan authorities is reporting that the two Italian nuns kidnapped in Kenya, and taken against their will deep into wartorn Somalia are safe, and elders approached by the authorities, are negotiating a release. More prayer is needed for the two servants of the church.

Africa- Somali/Kenya- Somali Government asks Kenyan help in tracking down kidnappers of Italian Nuns

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08; Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In the incident involving two Italian nuns kidnapped in a raid by militants, the Somali government has asked Kenya to help them track down militants, saying they would welcome a Kenyan party, if it were sent to help them.

In another blatant attack on aid workers, and a Catholic target, Somali gunmen recently kidnapped two Italian Nuns, in the northern part of politically unstable Kenya, which has large portions of its population saturated with Ethnic Somalis.

The Somali Government usually points to Islamic rebels as the source of attacks- but some Islamic sources claim it is in fact conducted by the government to discredit them. The actual attack involved sporadic gunfire, and the launching of a rocket into a police position by gunmen who fled across the border. The Kenyan authorities have enlisted the help of Somali elders, while the Somali government, crippled by a failed economy, and civil war- also cannot seem to prevent what is almost inevitable. Many aid workers are kidnapped and killed by Somali gunmen, specifically targeted for whatever purpose this is so.

Meanwhile, Somali Pirates have captured another international cargo ship off the Somali coast. 10 EU Nations recently signed a deal into effect, that will soon see at least 4 to 6 ships patrolling the coast at any time, and the use of possible surveillance aircraft. Over half of the world's ship hijackings took place in Somali territories last year. These EU Nations want to secure the well-traveled maritime path for commercial shipping lines to safely use in commerce.

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.

Kenya- Church asks for government to secure food for internal refugees

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 10/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Following this year's elections, which were contested by opposition as rigged, and the violence in Kenya, including accusations recently of death squads being commissioned to kill ethnic groups,the church in Kenya is asking the government to secure food for refugees and improve the economy, as they believe that many deaths from malnourishment are preventable in the many internal refugee camps.

They claim that Kenya should not be a dumping ground for unwanted goods from elsewhere.

Kofi Anan Speaks out on Keya Violence- Agenzia Fides

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Agenzia Fides Reports- that United Nations Secretry General- Kofi Anan says :

“The situation of the internal refugees is in the mind of all Kenyans. We need to find a solution as soon as possible.” (Agenzia Fides, 26/9/2008).

He speaks of 80 000 internal refugees that have yet to return home after the deaths of a thousand Kenyans in January and February- after accusations of election fraud, where 350 000 Kenyans fled their homes and houses. 129 camps hold 76 400 people across Kenya, and their government is attempting to get the refugees back into their homes, with a program named after a Swahili phrase translated "Return Home" (Agenzia Fides, 26/9/2008).

Election Violence in Kenya and accusations of election fraud reverberated at the beginning of the year in Kenya's election.

Recent articles have alleged the presence of "Death Squadrons" active in Kenya.

Other than the already about 76 400 people in camps around Kenya- about 220 000 people rely on the Red Cross for basic survival.

The reincorporation is hailed as necessary to combat the Kenyan food shortage- as many of the refugees are farmers, relied upon to produce basic produce...

Nairobi Death Squadrons kill 500- Fides

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Agenzia Fides reports (24/9/2008) that 500 people have been killed by so-called "death-squadrons". This is according to the "National Commission on Human Rights" of Kenya- who state that the killers are mostly "Mungiki", who Fides says are responsible for many other crimes. The "sqadrons" have been linked to Secret Service agencies in Kenya by Fides' source, and according to Fides' source, are politically connected and therefore very hard to bring under the reigns of justice. The victims were often tortured and harmed before dying.

Kenyan police deny any involvement in the crimes.

Kenya is still suffering from their recent election- where there were acusations by opposition of fraud.