September 27, 2006

Somali Refugees in Kenya

(Nairobi, Kenya) As the fundamentalist Islamic Courts Union destabilizes the country of Somalia, fearful refugees are flocking to Kenya for safety. According to Emmanuel Nyabera, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a massive relief operation may be required since the camps in Kenya have reached capacity.

From The East African:

Since September 13, more than 3,400 Somali have escaped fighting in their country to find refuge in Kenya, bringing the tally to almost 25,000 since the beginning of the year. There are more than 227,000 refugees already in Kenya, mainly from Somalia and Sudan.

Mr Nyabera said that, from interviews with UNHCR officials, it had emerged that the refugees, who are mostly women and children, were mainly from Mogadishu, Kismayu, and Lower Juba province.

Incidentally, these regions are not so far in the hands of the Islamic Courts Union.

Outside Mogadishu, the Islamic Courts are in control in the provinces of Lower Shabelle, Benadir, Middle Shabelle, Hiran, Gelgedut and parts of Mudug region.

Refugees from Baidoa -- the seat of Somalia's interim government -- have also started trickling into Kenya.

From a big picture perspective, both Somalia and Sudan have been taken over by warring Islamists and the people who don't convert to Islam are running for their lives. Both the Sudanese government and the Islamic Courts Union have vowed to fight any peacekeepers sent to quell violence.

So far, the UN has only talked about East African strife and the African Union's attempt at keeping peace in Sudan failed. Unlike 1991 when Somalia was a media darling, the current situation is getting considerably less emphasis. Consequently, the march of Islamic belligerence in Africa continues.

East Africa is not a teapot yet but give it time. Sooner or later, it will whistle.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 12:07 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 I warned of just this scenario right here on this blog over the past year and a half. I predicted that Africa would be the logical place for Al-Queda and the militants to recruit fighters and expand their territory. I'm very sorry to have been proven right.

Posted by: jesusland joe at September 27, 2006 02:42 PM (rUyw4)

2 Can't comment there unless you're a "team member".  Think he's afraid of a little criticism?

Posted by: Oyster at September 27, 2006 03:37 PM (Qy/Vv)

3 oops.  Wrong thread.

Posted by: Oyster at September 27, 2006 03:38 PM (Qy/Vv)

4 "Both the Sudanese government and the Islamic Courts Union have vowed to fight any peacekeepers sent to quell violence."

These nationas will be the next to feel the hot steel of U.S. bombs. This is exactly how the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan after the soviets left.

Posted by: newyank at September 27, 2006 03:59 PM (30FRH)

5 I don't care which side they are on. Just don't let them immigrate to America.

Posted by: greyrooster at September 27, 2006 09:37 PM (y+mNQ)

6 jonny

Posted by: jonny at September 28, 2006 08:51 AM (QbGjZ)

7 jonny went on a date with Vinnie. Call back later.

Posted by: greyrooster at September 28, 2006 06:22 PM (11BMB)

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