As Kenya Navy Shells Somalia, UN Last Whispered Concern 3 Weeks Ago, Mahiga
Winks?
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 7, 2012 -- On Somalia, does the UN whisper one
thing but means another? Three times Inner City Press has asked the UN if
its envoy Augustine Mahiga has anything to say about the shelling of Kismayo
by the Kenyan Navy <
http://www.innercitypress.com/un2kismayo090512.html> ,
which in mid August killed at least three civilians but has continued since.
UN spokesman Martin Nesirky, the second time Inner City Press asked, said
that the AMISOM mission has no naval component. But Kenya's military has
confirmed it is their ship. Inner City Press on September 6 asked if the UN
is just looking the other way:
<
http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2012/db120906.doc.htm>
Inner City Press: the Kenyan army has said 'that is our ship.' So basically
you have shelling by one country of another in support of a UN-supported
peacekeeping mission, but with everyone winking, like this is not ours, it's
not related to us. If it is not authorized by AMISOM, is it in contrary to
law? Is there some, since civilians have been reportedly killed by some of
the shelling, is there any UN response to it at all?
Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, as I said, Matthew, we have been checking, and
as soon as I have something, I will let you know, okay? But I assure you
that we have been checking and asking.
The next day, Nesirky read out a three week old statement not by Mahiga but
by the humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden. It seems clear
that Kenya has not listened to Bowden; perhaps it was never meant to.
Meanwhile the UN's lead envoy Augustine Mahiga did speak out on September 6
-- but only in an open letter trying to tell Somali parliamentarians how to
vote.
Mahiga, for the perceived success of his mission, would like Al Shabab
driven out of Kismayo, apparently be any means necessary. So his underling
whispers the UN's concern, with the Kenyan Navy ignores and keeps on
shelling. And Mahiga speaks only on other topics.
Does the UN whisper one thing but means another? It sure seems like it.
Watch this site.
*********************************************************************
As Kenya Confirms Naval Shelling of Somalia, Wittig Reserves Judgment
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 5, 2012 -- After the top human rights official at
the UN in New York, Ivan Simonovic, intoned Wednesday morning that if force
is used to protect civilians it should be applied very carefully, Inner City
Press asked the UN for the third time in a week about the Kenyan Navy
shelling Kismayo in Somalia.
This naval shelling, now admitted by Col. Cyrus Oguna of Kenyan military
<
http://www.portalangop.co.ao/motix/en_us/noticias/africa/2012/8/36/Kenya-na
vy-shells-Somali-port-town,b97fbc36-df24-4f84-bebd-7165d242bdf2.html> , is
ostensibly being done to protect civilians. But after in mid August the
shelling killing a pregnant woman and two children
<
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/376814/20120823/somalia-civilians-childre
n-woman-pregnant-killed-kenya.htm> , there was no response or explanation.
The Security Council on August 29 issued a press statement about Somalia
without allowing any opportunity for questioning of the Council president at
the time <
http://www.innercitypress.com/frun1kismayo082912.html> , Gerard
Araud.
On Wednesday Inner City Press asked incoming Council president for August
Peter Wittig about the Kenyan Navy's shelling.
Wittig replied that when the Council last heard from UN envoy Augustine
Mahiga there was "good news" that "AMISOM has reconquered territory."
This shelling of Kismayo is part of that campaign.
Wittig said that on these "recent skirmishes" it is "too early to
comment," that he is "reserving judgment." For how long? Until it is over?
Back on August 30 Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's
associate spokesman Farhan Haq:
Inner City Press: there has been a report that the Kenyan navy was shelling
Kismayo and that they are not part of AMISOM [African Union Mission in
Somalia]. They are in support of AMISOM military action there, but civilians
have been killed. I just wondered if Mr. [Augustine] Mahiga, or how the UN
views essentially the Kenyan navy shelling Somalia.
Associate Spokesperson Haq: There has been no comment from Mr. Mahiga thus
far, but we'll check and see whether there is anything he says further about
these reports.
But in the four days afterward, there was no further response. Rather, there
were new reports of shelling, even indirectly confirmed by Kenyan Army
spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir.
And so at the next UN noon briefing on September 4
<
http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2012/db120904.doc.htm> , Inner City
Press asked Ban's lead spokesman Martin Nesirky
<
http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2012/db120904.doc.htm> :
Inner City Press: there seems to be now renewed shelling of Kismayo in
Somalia by the Kenyan navy. Since this is African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM), I believe, it's either materially supported by DFS [Department of
Field Support] and there is Mr. [Augustine P.] Mahiga. What does the United
Nations say? Some people are saying these are random; it's not a targeted
shelling, it's just a simply shelling of a town in the name of peacekeeping.
Is there some UN response to this?
Spokesperson Nesirky: I believe this has been raised already. To my
knowledge, there is not a naval component of AMISOM. I will need to check,
but to my knowledge there is not a naval component of AMISOM. But as I say,
I will check.
Twenty fourhours later, there had been no response - most importantly, on
what does the UN say about this shelling of a city in a country in which it
has long had a Political Office? Why does the UN speak out against such
shelling in some countries and not others?
At the September 5 noon briefing, Inner City Press again asked Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky about the shelling. Video
here
<
http://webtv.un.org/watch/daily-press-briefing:-responsibility-to-protect-s
g-travels-sierra-leone-costa-rica-security-council/1824535671001> , from
Minute 4:15.
Nesirky replied that "We are expecting to have something to say on this a
little later." We'll see - watch this site.
Received on Sat Sep 08 2012 - 02:15:21 EDT
