Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service) - These sort of clashes happen all the time in Somalia, only this one was in Kenya” Fr Eugenio Ferrari, IMC, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya told Fides with regard to violence yesterday 15 March in the region of Mandera on the border with Somalia.
In the early hours of the morning a heavily armed gang of men coming from Somalia launched an attack on the Kenyan village of Elgolisha situated close to the border with Somalia. “Kenyan newspapers gave ample space to the episode in which least 28 people were reported dead” said Fr Ferrari. At least 20 of the victims were civilian villagers, the other 8 were militia killed in an exchange of gunfire with police forces which intervened to stop the fighting.
“Victims and aggressors are of the same tribe but different clans. Somali tribes divided in clans, often fight among themselves. In this case it is a question of the same people living on both sides of the Somalia Kenya border” said Fr Ferrari.
The attackers were members of the Murule clan and members of the Garre clan were the target. “Similar episodes happened in January when thirty people were killed” Fr Ferrari recalled. “Despite mediation by the council of elders tension evidently remains. Indeed the attack would appear to have been carefully prepared in order to kill as many as possible, with an early morning attack and no apparent provocation”.
Kenyan authorities say the bone of contention between the two Somali clans is water. In fact water resources in this arid region which lacks hydro infrastructures are meagre. It is obvious however that the problem of instability in Somalia is becoming ever more serious also for its neighbours.
The attack provoked widespread concern among the Kenyan people for national security. Assaults like yesterday’s are unfortunately not rare and there are also robberies and abuse against the most defenceless, women in particular. The situation of public order deteriorated with the spread of small firearms, many coming from across the borders, and from Somalia in particular.
The Catholic Bishops of Kenya have already voiced concern for the deterioration of public order which has affected also Catholic personnel, local clergy and missionaries have been victims of robbery and other violence. (see Fides 15 April 2003 and 26 January 2005). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2005 righe 36 parole 438)
