Dozens Die in Nairobi Terrorist Attack

Almost seventy people have died and a further two hundred injured during an attack on a Nairobi shopping mall on Saturday. Kenyan soldiers have since been deployed to the mall as an estimated 39 civilians are currently being held hostage by Somali militants.

An affluent shopping mall, the Westgate centre has over 80 shops including Barclays and Samsung, and had been hosting a 'children's day' when Somali militants launched the attack. Approximately 1,000 people managed to escape as the militants entered the building, and have given the media chilling details of what they witnessed. As the militants entered the building around midday, witnesses reported hearing explosions

Inside the Westgate shopping mall

outside the building quickly followed by gunfire. One witness told reporters "I saw a lot of children and elderly people being shot dead... I don't understand why you would shoot a five year old" Whilst many ran through the mall trying to escape the chaos, others managed to save themselves by playing dead. One of the most shocking details to emerge is that women were involved in the slaughter of innocent children as well as men.

The group claiming responsibility for the worst attack on Kenyan soil in over a decade is the al-Qaeda Somalian cell, al-Shabaab. Translated, the organisation's name means 'The Youth' or 'The Boys' is a splinter group formed in 2006 from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a collection of Sharia law courts that merged together to form an opposition to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. The ICU broke up in 2006 after losing territory and power to the TFG, however some hardline groups splintered off and one such group became al-Shabaab. The militant group has been rife with internal problems including internal coups and defections and a result of their lack of direction meant that Somali troops, along with the UN approved peace keeping mission the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), were able to reclaim land from the insurgents.This weekend's attack has apparently been in retaliation to the Kenyan military's support of the Somalian army as the group wrote on social networking site, Twitter, "The attacks are just retribution for the lives of innocent Muslims shelled by Kenyan jets" another post called the attacks retaliation against the "Kenyan invaders." However this seems the flimsy excuse of a group desperately trying to regain status and power after losing a lot of influence and supporters in a short space of time.

Map of East Africa showing Somalian/Kenyan border

The attack on the capital has hit the Kenyan president on a very personal level as his nephew and nephew's fiancée are reported to have been killed in the attack and in a press conference, he told the world's media "They shall not get away with their despicable and beastly acts. We will punish the masterminds swiftly and indeed very painfully." Having been personally aggrieved at the insurgent's hands, it's safe to say the President will not stop until the 15-20 or so militants holding innocent civilians hostage tonight, are brought to trial and punished accordingly.

 Apart from an attack on a personal level for himself, the victims and victim's families, the President also needs to show a hardline stance against any al-Qaeda affiliates. Kenya has the strongest economy in Eastern Africa with tourism accounting for the majority of it's GDP, by showing strength and defiance against the extremists, Kenya will ensure their economy maintains its strength. Showing strength and resilience against terrorism will be the greatest insult to the insurgents and the greatest way to honour the victims of Westgate.

Lora

As always, if you enjoy my blog, feel free to ass me on Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC

Rebel Attack Causing Chaos in the Philippines

Hi guys! Sorry for going dark on you for the last week, I've just started a new job and wow is it busy! But things have settled down a bit again so I'm back!

In recent years, The Philippines has become a major economic success story and is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. However, in the last 11 days, any economic prowess has been eclipsed as clashes between Philippine forces and Muslim rebels in Zamboanga have left over 100 dead and forced tens of thousands from their homes.

Zamboanga is a large city on the predominantly Muslim Mindanao island, which is the birth place of rebel group the Moro Nationalist Liberation Front (MNLF). Formed in the 1960s, the MNLF is a separatist group who are pushing the government to make the island an independent Muslim state, thus ending Manilia rule. 

200 MNLF rebels sailed into Zamboanga City
bay ten days ago

On September 9th, following peace talks between the government and the MNLF, a faction of the group launched a vicious attack on Zamboanga (ironically known as 'The City of Flowers'). The ransacking of this once vibrant city, as well as the destruction of civilian's homes, has left over 100,000 people displaced since the clashes began, with approximately half seeking shelter in a sports stadium. However, the government have since pledged to rebuild the city, allocating £.8 billion Pesos (around £56 million GBP) to reconstruction of the city. The Philippine President, Benigno Aquino, remains optimistic about the prospect of a positive outcome for the government, and today has been telling Reuters "I don't expect this to take too long" a sentiment which rings true if army reports are correct and there are only around 70 rebels still fighting in the city with the rest either killed or arrested. 

Perhaps the worst aspect of the fighting is the fact that it is not _only_ rebels or _only_ soldiers who are inflicting damage, instead both sides have shown a dangerously careless attitude to civilian lives. After holding over twenty Christians hostage, the MLNF used their captives as human shields against the Philippine army who, bewilderingly, continued to fire; wounding innocent civilians in the process. 

Worryingly, it appears that, to the army and rebels, the ends can justify the means, regardless of how dangerous those means are... 

Lora.

As always, feel free to add me on Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC

Four Men Convicted of the Rape and Murder of Indian Student

In December last year, the world watched horrified as a 23 year old student clung to life in a Singapore hospital following a brutal gang rape in the Indian capital, Delhi. Two weeks after the attack, the young woman died of injuries inflicted by her attackers. Today, four of her attackers have been convicted of her rape and murder.

The young woman had been studying physio at university, and last year, on December 16, she and a male friend boarded what they assumed was a regular bus, only the bus was not actually in service. The six men accused of the brutal attack had been driving the vehicle and tricked the pair into boarding the bus where they brutally beat the male companion with an iron bar, incapacitating him whilst the girl was savagely raped. When they had finished with the pair, the attackers discarded them on a roadside, leaving them both for dead.

Following the attack, an unprecedented wave of protests throughout the country brought the world's attention to India's archaic attitude towards women. However, this year, politicians have attempted to clamp down on attacks on women, and in March a law was passed that meant rape could be punishable by death. 

 As one of the attackers was a minor at the time of the attack, he was spared the death penalty and instead sentenced to the maximum sentence for a juvenile; 3 years in a reform centre. The supposed 'head' of the gang, and instigator of the attack, Ram Singh, was found hanged in his prison cell in February in what is widely believed to be a suicide, a claim that his family have disputed. The remainder of the attackers have been convicted and Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta now await their sentence, expected to be delivered on Wednesday. 

Upon hearing the accused had been convicted, chants of "Hang them! Hang them!" came from demonstrators outside the court as the parents of the deceased girl told reporters they are "Happy with the conviction. Now we expect the judge to sentence them all to death." The male victim in the attack also voiced his desired outcome of the conviction stating "They wanted us to die. Now, I want them to die and she also wanted them to die." With a harsh punishment for rape now enforced and the high profile nature of this case, it is highly likely these men will face the death penalty. 

This year, a number of high profile gang rapes have caught worldwide attention including the attack on a Swiss tourist and her husband as well as an attack last month on a 22 year old female photojournalist. However, it is not only India in which these brutal attacks are prevalent. On Tuesday, the UN released the results of a study of 10,000 men in Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, China, Cambodia and Indonesia and the results are startling. More than 70% admitted to forcing themselves upon a woman because of a sense of 'sexual entitlement' with 60% also admitting they did it for 'fun'. Whilst a number admitted to forcing themselves (the word rape was never used) onto strangers, a huge number said they had used excessive force on their partner.

It is apparent that there is a massively distorted view of women prevalent throughout Asia. Whilst India have imposed harsh new sentences for convicted rapists, there is still a tiny minority of men actually prosecuted for their actions. There is a stigma attached to the woman for being raped and, more often than not, the men are not prosecuted for their attacks. The only way this can change is if social attitudes towards women change across Asia, with women treated with the same level of respect as men. It may be a slow process but the unprecedented outrage at the death of the student last year has shown the tide is beginning to change in India as more people wake up to their social conscience. Let's just hope this continues.

Lora.

If you enjoy my blog, please feel free to follow me on Twitter @LoradeeC or feel free to add me on Google+.

Libya Lose Billions in Recent Oil Strikes

Two years ago, In the midst of the Arab Spring, the Libyan people united to remove their leader, Colonel Gadaffi, from power after ruling the African country for more than 40 years. The controversial leader was ousted amidst accusations that he was an authoritarian dictator who abused the rights of his people. Now, the new government is facing it's biggest challenge yet.

Last year, Ali Zeidan, previously a human rights lawyer, was elected by the Libyan Congress to the position of Prime Minister. Following the overwhelming response to welcome democracy as well as the Gadaffi manhunt, it is somewhat surprising that the country is struggling to find it's feet, as chaos looms ominously overhead. 

With over a million barrels produced per day, oil is Libya's greatest export particularly as the highly valued natural resource is of an unusually high quality. Oil production in Libya is the highest in the whole of Africa and the fifth largest in the entire world. Therefore, the value and importance of this commodity is quite apparent, particularly in relation to the country's economy. However, output in the country has fallen to just 10% as workers, along with armed militia, have gone on strike leaving the government with just two working oil ports, forcing the country to import oil to keep electrical power stations open. 

There appears to be a number of reasons for the strikes, however, the primary causes seem to revolve around dissatisfaction with the government's distribution of wealth, with other workers demanding higher pay and new management. The pay and management seem reasonable enough requests to discuss, perhaps the formation of a trade union could prevent future

ongoing strikes that threaten the very peace of the country. 

In 2007, British oil giant BP re-entered the country, however since the civil disruption following the Arab Spring, plans to drill for oil off the Libyan coast have repeatedly been put on hold. With lost revenue from the strikes estimated in the billions, and BP the last oil giant left in the country following Shell's exit last year, it's unsurprising that the worried government have threatened military action against the protesters. Denouncing them for "a national crime that is tantamount to treason, because you are cutting the income to the Libyans." The Prime Minister continued "The government has been patient... To preserve national unity we saw fit to use all peaceful means to resolve this issue but at some point we may  reach a point in which the state should exercise it's role seriously to stop this." 

The Government, it seems, has been backed into a corner, as experts and protesters alike warn that a military intervention could break down the already tentative peace in the country sending Libya spiralling into a fractious state with people fighting over oil. Indeed, one militia leader said an act of aggression like that detailed by the Prime Minister would be a "declaration of war", something which neither the government nor the people want.

It is a tricky situation for Libya, the government obviously need to reopen the oil ports so they can produce at maximum capacity and get money into the country once again, however they need to react to the people's protest in a reasonable manner. Ignoring the demands of the people entirely, instead of negotiating, is a dangerous game and a mistake that too many leaders in the Middle East have made in the last few years. This is a major test for the new government and how they react will be important not just for Libya but for all other countries involved in the Arab Spring. Reacting with care will mean the government will not just save Libya from civil war, but also create faith in their new democracy.

Lora.

Remember, if you like my blog, feel free to add me Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC. 

Protesters Sentenced to Life Imprisonment as the Egyptian Military Restricts Media.

As the ousted Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, awaits trial, eleven of his supporters have today been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of attacking the army as a further 45 receive five to fifteen year prison sentences.

Whilst it remains unclear if the pro-Morsi supporters are affiliated to the, now controversial, Muslim Brotherhood, the men were convicted for attacking churches, soldiers and military vehicles in last month's protests. Morsi himself awaits sentencing  for 'inciting deadly violence' in regards to the deaths of protesters outside the Presidential palace in December 2012 as well as charges relating to a 2011 prison riot. Since Morsi was ousted, dozens of senior Muslim Brotherhood officials have been arrested, including most of the organisation's top officials. Fourteen Brotherhood members are currently awaiting trial on the same charge as their ex-President.

In the two months since the first democratically elected President was removed from office, the country has been thrown into turmoil as the pro and anti-Morsi supporters have clashed on the streets of Egypt. However, worse than this civil unrest, is the harsh impact the military has had on the country. Whilst there is no official report on how many have died in the last two months, it is safe to assume the death toll has reached the thousands, as pro-Morsi supporters have been subjected to fierce attacks from the military. Last month, hundreds died in peaceful protests with hundreds more arrested.

Whilst protests continue in support of Morsi, they are undoubtedly dwindling as the people are gripped by terror inflicted by the military. Last week saw the first major protest in a fortnight, following the murder of hundreds of protests at a similar demonstration, and, as the defiant protesters took to the streets in opposition of the new regime, the military used tear gas and gun fire against the protesters. It is little wonder the numbers of protesters are rapidly dwindling; if they have not been killed or arrested, they are understandably petrified of what will happen if they do.

Worringly, in the military's boldest, and most ominous move, four television stations, including Al Jazeera affiliate Mubasher Misr, have been shut amid accusations of Pro-Morsi sympathies. The military removed Morsi from office in 'public interest' and vehemently defended their actions as democratic, however, free speech and freedom of the press are core values of democracy. If the military truly believe their actions to be democratic, why silence opposition, be that from the street merchant to the politician to the journalist?

As well as the suspension of opposition news agencies and fierce attacks on protesters, the national rail service has been closed for 17 days. Rail services were due to resume today however they have postponed; The country is not only figuratively but also literally at a standstill.

Whilst the world is distracted by other atrocities in the world, we should not forget the utter turmoil in Egypt. The country which once revelled in democracy following the Arab Spring, is rapidly becoming the military state it once was. With the interim President being suspiciously silent and the military ominously loud, there is a very real danger that the people of this interesting and wonderful country could, once again, be facing a harsh authoritarian leadership.

Lora.

P.S. As always, if you like my blog feel free to add me on Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC.

Boko Haram continue their reign of terror in Nigeria

Dozens are mourning in Northern Nigeria today as an ambush by the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) against Islamist extremists, the Boko Haram, went wrong, leaving 24 civilians dead and a further 36 remain missing.

In retaliation to the ambush, Boko Haram then attacked the nearby towns of Damboa and Nganza, slaughtering an estimated 20 civilians which brings the total number of fatalities in the region, since 2009, to over 1500.

Map of Nigeria; Maiduguri top right

The JTF are a government sanctioned civilian vigilante group and was founded in Boko Haram's birthplace, Maiduguri. Surprisingly, it is comprised of men and women and, despite the inherent dangers, the organisation is completely voluntary. These ordinary members of the community sign up in defiance of the oppression and violence inflicted on their towns by the terrorist extremists, the Boko Haram.

So who exactly are Boko Haram?

Formed in 2001 in the Nigerian city Maiduguri (popularly known as the 'Home of Peace'), the extremist group's primary ethos is to enforce Sharia law and to ban what they deem as Westernisation. Indeed, whilst the group is officially called the Congregation and People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad, they have adopted the snappier name 'Boko Haram' which translates from Hausa as 'Western eduction is sinful'.

Despite escalating tensions and smaller scale attacks, it was another eight years before Boko Haram really demonstrated their extreme power and blood thirst. In July 2009, the extremist group were stopped by security officials on their way to bury a fellow member. Apparently the officials stopped the procession to request that those riding motorcycles wear helmets and tensions quickly escalated, resulting in deaths on both sides. Unfortunately this was the spark to the tinderbox and began the 2009 Boko Haram Uprising which saw violence across the North-eastern states of Nigeria with over 1,000 people killed, 700 of which in Maiduguri alone.

The terrorists have been ruthless in their attacks, launching bloody and brutal assaults on mosques and especially schools in order to spread their message. In July, one such attack sent ripples across the world as news broke of the brutal murders of 46 students during an attack at a boarding school. The children died after being shot or burned alive as they slept.

Following the attack a video was released showing a Boko Haram soldier spitting "Teachers who teach western education? We will kill them! We will kill them all!" The militant continues they will continue to target schools 'until our last breath'. However, he then goes on to say "Our religion does not permit us to touch small children and women." If this was the case, and Boko Haram claimed responsibility, how exactly did these children die?

Boko Haram militia

The organisation is indiscriminate in whom they kill, and an attack in Konduga in early August this year, saw 44 fellow Muslims slaughtered whilst they were praying in their local mosque. The Boko Haram have been critical of Muslims who they call 'soft', complaining they should be more strict with their religion. The town in which they attacked was a simple town filled with farmers.

Many believe the Nigerian government should be pushing for peace talks with the brutal militia as a high proportion of Boko Haram members are the disaffected youth, young men angry with high levels of unemployment and abject poverty. Whilst it may be increasingly difficult to get to the root of the youth's issues with the government, opening up talks will help to clarify what it is that is attracting them to the organisation in the first place. Through tackling these issues it could help stop the expansion of the terrorist group, and perhaps even draw members of the group back into normal society. Either way, drastic action needs to be taken.

The main victims in this war are not the militia or soldiers, but the farmer left unable to work after being attacked at prayers, the mother left mourning the death of her child, the elderly couple left homeless, forced from their homes by the militia, the volunteer JTF shot whilst working on a checkpoint. As always, it is the innocent who continue to be the principal casualty of political war.

Lora.

As always, if you like my blog, feel free to follow me on Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC