Kenya: Somalia’s Al-Shabab in Cross-Border Raids

Nairobi---Militiamen belonging to Somalia’s Islamist group Al-Shabab have killed at least six people across the border in Kenya in reprisal attacks against the country’s military incursion in Somalia.

Six people including four police officers, a local government official and a civilian were killed and three others kidnapped during the firearm and an explosive device attack in northeast Kenya’s Gerille town, 10km from its border with Somalia.

“Six people have been killed, and three others were abducted, in the attack on Wednesday, wounding two other policemen,” said regional police Chief Leo Nyongesa.

Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack which they said was in revenge for “the aggressive Kenyan invasion against the Muslims of Somalia.”

In a statement, the Al-Qaeda linked group say to have killed seven Kenyan policemen and government officials, taking others prisoners. They also claim to have seized vehicles, communication equipment and weapons during the raid.

The group has been blamed for series of grenade and homemade explosives attacks in Kenya since the Kenyan Defence Forces launched an operation three months ago to pursue Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia.

Elsewhere the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned of abuses of civilians and refugees of Somali descent by Kenyan security forces since the launch of the military operation. A statement by the New York-based rights group said members of the security forces have been responsible for rape, beatings, looting, and arbitrary arrests of civilians, in response to apparent attacks targeting security forces.

"When military officers can beat civilians in broad daylight without fearing repercussions, it's clear that impunity has become the norm," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at HRW. The military through its spokesman has refuted having knowledge of the abuses but said it will investigate the claims.

The UN Security Council has approved a joint request by Kenya and the African Union (AU) to integrate Kenyan troops into the AU mission in Somalia-AMISOM. The Amisom deployment is expected to increase from 12,000 to 17,731 under the proposal, which also entails additional troops from Djibouti, Uganda and Burundi.

Formed in 2007 the Al-Shabab continues to fight the fragile Transitional Federal Government (TFG), taking control of regions in the south, where it instils harsh Islamic laws. Somalia has never had a stable government since ousting of dictatorial leader Siad Barre in 1991.

Abuja, Nigeria

Unions to Continue with Strike even after Talks with President

Nigeria’s main trade unions say the nationwide strike in protest over removal of fuel subsidies will continue even after holding negotiations on Thursday with President Goodluck Jonathan.

President of Nigeria Labour Congress Abdulwaheed Omar told journalists on Thursday after the meeting that they had “very fruitful discussions” though negotiations were not over yet and both sides have agreed to shift ground.

“We have to continue on Saturday afternoon…Unless and until we get a conclusive conclusion from the discussion then that means we will maintain status quo. For now the strike still continues,” said Omar.

At least nine union representatives from Nigeria’s two main labour unions participated in the talks with the president and other government officials including vice president, finance minister, state president and seven state governors.

Thursday’s meeting comes before Nigeria’s main oil union threatened to shut down the country’s oil and gas production starting Sunday in support of the strike.

“We are hereby notifying the Federal Government of Nigeria ... that PENGASSAN (The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria) shall be forced to go ahead and apply the bitter option of ordering the systematic shutting down of oil and gas production with effect from ... 00:00 hours on Sunday, January 15,” read the statement by the union.

Union President Babatunde Ogun said if fields are turned down, it would take another 6 months to a year to restart them, and also it would turn off the national power grid, which is already faced with shortages.

Angry protestors took to the streets on Monday to condemn the government’s move to remove a fuel subsidy that has resulted in doubling in price of the commodity. President Jonathan says ending the subsidy will save the government $8 billion that will help improve the country’s woeful infrastructure.

The fuel crisis and violence in northern part of the country by Islamic Sect Boko Haram have posed tough times for President Jonathan whom protestors are calling for his step-down. Nigeria depends on the commodity for almost 80 per cent of its revenue.