Violence Marks Somali Government's Year Anniversary

Somalia's U.N.-supported Transitional Federal Government marked its one-year anniversary under former Islamist opposition leader Sharif Sheik Ahmed last week amid one of the most intense insurgent attacks in the capital in months. There are dwindling expectations that the government can bring peace to its citizens, and Somalis are increasingly blaming the international community for the country's worsening problems.

Alisha Ryu | Mogadishu

Photo: AFP

An African Union peacekeeping forces tank takes up a position near Mogadishu's State House as Pres. Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's Somali government commemorates the 1st anniversary under his rule (File)

Share This

• Digg
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon
• Yahoo! Buzz
• del.icio.us

Related Articles

• Thousands Of Somalis Continue To Flee Fighting
• Number of Homeless In Somalia Increasing As Fighting Widens
• Somalia's Army Chief Escapes Bomb Attack
• Sectarian Fighting Erupts in Central Somalia

January 29 was supposed to have been a day of celebration. In the sprawling presidential compound known as Villa Somalia, preparations had been made to mark the one-year anniversary of the new transitional government with poetry readings and a military parade.

But the country's most powerful Islamist insurgent group, al-Shabab, and an allied rebel group, Hizbul Islam, had something different in mind to mark the occasion.

The attack on government troops and African Union peacekeepers began around two o'clock in the morning with a crash of mortars and automatic machine gun fire, which could be heard from the south end of Mogadishu to the north.

The peacekeepers, who have a mandate to hit back if attacked, launched a counter-barrage, firing a combination of heavy artillery, Katyusha rockets and tank rounds into the inky blackness that gave cover to insurgents but left residents inside homes helpless to avoid the rockets and shells raining down around them.

When the fighting ended hours later, local hospitals reported that more than a dozen civilians had been killed and another 35 wounded. The government canceled the day's festivities.

It is a situation that has become all too familiar for residents in this embattled city. A U.N.-mediated deal in 2008, which added hundreds of moderate Islamists into the ranks of the government and ended Ethiopia's two-year occupation of Somalia, has yet to translate into safety and security for civilians.

AP

A Islamic fighter is seen through a hole caused by shrapnel in a wall, in Mogadishu, Somalia (File)

The Transitional Federal Government, or the TFG, continues to be violently opposed by Islamist insurgents, most notably al-Shabab, which has proclaimed allegiance to al-Qaida. Al-Shabab militants, who control most districts in the capital and key towns throughout southern Somalia, have imposed their austere version of Islam in areas they have seized, shocking Somalis into submission with such punishments as public beheadings and amputations of limbs.

The only military force capable of keeping the government from being toppled is the 5,300 troops from Uganda and Burundi making up the African Union peacekeeping mission known as AMISOM. But since their arrival in Somalia in 2007, AMISOM troops, particularly from Uganda, have been severely criticized for retaliatory attacks, which have caused untold number of civilian casualties in Mogadishu.

Fartun Abdisalam Aden, who heads the Mogadishu-based human rights organization Elman Peace Center, says Somalis are no longer seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

"People in the beginning of this government had hope. They were thinking, 'Things might get better," Aden said. "It will change.' Now, it is getting worse and nothing is working. I think the international community made a mistake. People are dying and people do not have hope anymore. Whomever you talk to, they think, 'Every year it is getting worse. What are we waiting [for] now?' We do not know," he said.

Government officials insist it could improve security and public services immediately if they had direct access to more than $200 million the international donor community pledged last year to support the TFG and the African Union mission.

First Deputy Prime Minister Abdurahman Aden Ibrahim "Ibbi" tells VOA most of the money that has been promised to the Somali government has been given to U.N. and U.S. government agencies for release to the government at their discretion. Ibbi says only a fraction of the pledged amount has been released so far.

"We are weak because the international community is not supporting this government the way it is supposed to," he said. "All the money that was supposed to be given to the Somali people has been given to international organizations. We have been defending ourselves for one year with no money. Today, they are saying, 'We are training.' Still they are not giving us money! We do not have any friends now, to be honest with you. If they are our friends, let them give us something concrete," said Aden.

A respected civil society leader Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwa agrees that there has been inadequate support for the TFG from the international community. He says that is because the international community - which has tried 14 times in the past two decades to create a central government for Somalia without the participation of Somalis at the grassroots level - is itself divided over how best to guide and work with the new transitional government.

"They cannot create a consensus among themselves to support the Somali government or the Somali peace process. Someone says, 'Go ahead.' Others are saying, 'No, no.' And they are fighting among us - Ethiopia-Eritrea, African Union-Arab League, European-American, whatever. They do not have a common policy toward Somalia," he said.

In 2008, when the United Nations spearheaded efforts to create a new transitional government composed of both TFG officials and members of a former Islamist opposition faction, the aim was to establish a government that had the political and religious legitimacy to bring about a national reconciliation and end nearly two decades of civil war.

AP

Personnel Armored Vehicles stand in front of Villa Somalia in Mogadishu (2006 file photo)

Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwa says what the United Nations actually created was a government of bickering factions that could barely manage issues inside Villa Somalia, let alone the rest of the country.

"We talk many times to the international community. We told them Somalis cannot maintain 40 ministers and 550 parliament members. It is very huge. It cannot work," he stressed. "They are a lot of different groups. They are fighting amongst themselves day and night. The problem is the international community always engage in peace process and establish Somali governments, which have no legitimacy in the local communities. And after they establish it, they sit in Nairobi and say, 'Let us see how they do.' And they are not supporting it. They are saying, 'They [the government] are not transparent. They are not accountable to anybody.' Why didn't they think before the establishment [of the government]?" asked Shirwa.

The increasing threat of an al-Shabab takeover, continuing violence, and the inability of the Transitional Federal Government to act decisively are driving Somalis out of Mogadishu and the rest of the country at an alarming rate. In parts of central and southern Somalia, the crisis is also fueling movements among groups aligned with the TFG to create autonomous administrations that can provide public services and offer some degree of stability and protection from al-Shabab.

Source:VOA News

Youth Disaffection: the elephant in the living room

This week both online and offline conversations have been revolving around Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23 year old engineering student who was apprehended as he tried to detonate explosives he carried onto a Christmas day transatlantic flight into Detroit.
 

However, Abdulmutallab somehow does not fit the stereotypical profile of a terrorist for most. The young man is highly educated and in fact was raised in a well to do family - his father is a prominent banker and former Nigerian Minister. As a Financial Times article says:

"Other Africans, from Comoros, Kenya and Somalia, who have been involved in al-Qaeda activities, have come from humbler backgrounds. But Mr Abdulmutallab was born into Nigeria’s elite, and there is little in his African background to suggest he was a terrorist in the making".

So the question many have been bandying about is why on earth would this young man feel that he had nothing to loose and everything to gain by not only killing himself, but also taking down 278 lives with him?

Yes, Osama Bin Laden hails from a wealthy Saudi family but he is the kingpin of Al Qaeda. The actual foot soldiers have tended to be not as well educated or rich. Towards the end of 2009, stories in the media said that the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab was recruiting Kenyan youth. However, unlike Abdulmutallab, these youth come from an environment of abject poverty coupled with high rates of youth unemployment. They are the ones with nothing to loose and everything to gain.

A young person, say during Kenya’s post election violence period would probably think twice about setting fire to someone’s else’s property if they had assets of their own. However, as is the case in Kibera in early 2008, they not only burnt homes where they lived; they burned down shops where they bought their food; and they also burned down the petrol station where they bought kerosene to cook their food from the shops. In short these disaffected youth had nothing to loose, and everything to gain.

Like Abdulmutallab, there is a new face of disaffected youth emerging. These are the ones who though being graduates, have no jobs or alternative opportunities to create meaningful and sustainable livelihoods. These are the white collar car-jackers and hostage takers demanding ransoms for well known kidnapped personalities.

Before it may have been easy to ignore poor youth that take to the streets and engage in crime. However, the number of disaffected youth is coalescing across social and economic divides so much so that the carpet can no longer cover the elephant of youth disaffection in the living room.

Transcript of online Webchat with US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger - September 23rd 2009

CO.NX Moderator (Tim): This program will begin on September 23 at 15:00 Nairobi Time - (8:00am EDT – 1200GMT).
 
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): Please post your questions before or during the chat. Once we receive your questions they will turn RED on the screen. Thank you.
 
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello and welcome to today's webchat!  We're taking your questions now.  The live chat will begin at the top of the hour 12:00GMT.
 
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): Good morning everyone. The Ambassador will be online in less than 30 minutes. Please send in your questions now.
 
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): From Jeff Martin in Facebook: Just out of curiosity,what,in your opinion,is kenya's place in the African continent?
 
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): When we receive your questions they will turn RED. Thank you again.
Jane, Kisumu: does the Amb come on in 7 minutes?
 
CO.NX Moderator (Tim): The Ambassador will arrive in a few minutes. Thank you for your patience.
Ambassador Ranneberger: Good morning everyone. I am pleased to be here with you today. Please send me your questions now. Thank you.
 
unity2050: hello

unity2050: i am so happy to be here
 
tracy: good after Mr Ranneberger
 
Lucy Muthoni: Hello Your Excellencey
 
Joseph: Hallo, this is Joseph in Nairobi can I join in?
 
Djibouti: Excellency, Djibouti represents four reporters from La Nation (French Language News Paper) and Radio Television Djibouti.  We'll be submitting questions shortly!  Thank you very much!
Ambassador Ranneberger: Welcome and thank you for coming.
tracy: Thank you Sir
 
BARNET-GILGIL: Thank you
 
Johnie: Good Afternoon Nairobi, your excellency its afternoon in Nrb
 
Mina: hi

Nashipai Koima: Good afternoon Sir

Mina: good afternoon

Suzanne: is it possible to extend this time to about 4.30 so that His excellence can respond to all our questions?
 
CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Suzanne, we're hoping the Ambassaor can get to as many questions as possible during today's session but please understand his schedule is tight.

Djibouti: can you describe U.S. efforts to support the TFG in Somalia?

Ambassador Ranneberger: The U.S. is working closely with Kenya to support the TFG in Somalia.  Kenya has been very helpful in supporting a political process to expand support for the TFG, Kenya is trying captured pirates, and Kenya is providing assistance to the TFG.  Kenya has exerted strong pressure within East Africa to stop Eritrean support for the al-Shabaab.  The U.S. is also providing strong support for the TFG politically, and through financial support for the TFG especially for security assistance.  The U.S. is also the largest supporter of AMISOM, and the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the Somali people.  We greatly appreciate the strong role that AMISOM is playing in Somalia.
unity2050: can i ask you question

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We are taking questions now. The Ambasador is working on his responses.

Mina: I have a question , it is not directly related to kenya
 
Ambassador Ranneberger: Feel free to post it.

Mina: but to us as general
 
brigid koskei 2: brigid koskei from Kenya.us elections have shown us that we can as a country we can go beyond tribal and racial politics.Is this possible with the Kenyan current constitution and institutional structures that are in existence?

Ambassador Ranneberger: In order to be able to achieve what the U.S. did in electing Obama, several things must happen:  1. the Kenyan people need to work much harder to overcome entrenched ethnic attitudes; this involves working at the grassroots level, more leadership at the top, more civic education, etc. 2. there needs to be constitutional change and reform to ensure the rule of law.  These reforms are necessary so that the rights and interests of each ethnic group will be protected; that way, ethnic groups will not regard every election as a ''winner take all'' situation. 

Ambassador Ranneberger: 3. there must be more equitable economic development to push back poverty and to open more opportunities for all ethnic groups in order to reduce tensions and to eliminate the perception that one ethnic group controls the economy and development.

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Thanks everyone for joining us.  As you can see there are many of you online and many questions coming in.  The Ambassador is working as quickly as possible to take your questions.  Please be patient.

Lucy Muthoni: Thank you moderator for your assurance.

Guest : Does Obama plan to come to kenya

Ambassador Ranneberger: Obama has been to Kenya before, and I have no doubt that at some point he will visit again.  However, he has made clear that he is deeply disappointed by the lack of progress in implementing reforms.  When he went to Ghana, a cartoon in the Nation captured the situation well.  It had a picture of Air Force One flying over Kenya, with a little Kibaki and Odinga looking up at it, and a note was floating down that said ''get your act together.signed Barack Obama.''

Jack KOdera: I thought the Chat was on Terrorism and  Piracy!  Has it now turned to Democratization?

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello Jack, you are thinking about today's second webchat beginning in about 45 minutes.  Join us immediatelly following this session for a discussion on piracy and terrorism at this CO.NX chat room: https://statedept.conenctsolutions.com/piracy

kadadi: Goodafternoon all, Nice to be here

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hello kadadi, welcome!

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Also, please join us at 14:00GMT today for a webstream of President Obama's U.N. speech:  https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/unga2009

kadadi: thanks Mark

tracy: Mark dear,does his excellency looked at my question??

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Tracy, there are more than 100 questions in the queue, the Ambassador is trying to answer as many as possible.

mary Eldoret: Obama presidency has been lauded the world over. What will his policy be on the Kenyan or African political set up?

Ambassador Ranneberger: promote expanded trade between the U.S. and Africa.  In short, you will see the Obama Administration intensively engaged with Africa.Obama has clearly indicated that he wants to expand our relationship with the African continent in order to promote democracy, good governance, development, and conflict resolution.   Thus our policy on Kenya focuses on pushing for implementation of the reform agenda.  More broadly, President Obama has already announced an important new initiative:  the global food security initiative, which will benefit Kenya and other countries in Africa. Secretary Clinton has already visited 7 countries in Africa to highlight our priority to engage with Africa.  A major AGOA forum was held in Kenya to promote expanded trade between the U.S. and Africa.  In short, you will see the Obama Administration intensively engaged with Africa.

Abraham Rugo: Thanks Mark...we will wait

tracy: thanks so much,Mark

Migolo Benjamin: we r totally behind you

Guest Nairobi: What do you think is the most important issue facing Kenyans today?

Ambassador Ranneberger: The most important issue facing Kenyans is ensuring full implementation of the reform agenda.

Dalmas: Good afternoon your excellency

kachwanya: Good afternoon everyone

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Alphonse: America is made up of different states with people of different background, social economics and yet the country is very united.Learning from the American case,in your view,How can Kenya overcome tribalism based on that context?

Ambassador Ranneberger: Unity in America has been achieved through an appreciation that we gain strength through our diversity, and by ensuring that there are transparent institutions and rule of law which protects everyone.  That is why we are pushing for constitutional and rule of law reform in Kenya.  I talked above about Kenyans' need to overcome ethnic attitudes.  I am optimistic that Kenya can also achieve such unity, and that the emerging younger generation will make a major contribution to this.  Do not be discouraged.  Keep in mind all the difficulties the U.S. has experienced, particularly in accommodating African-Americans.  But the election of Obama demonstrates how fast change can happen.  I believe that there is a quiet transformation sweeping Kenya and that fundamental change will come more quickly than anyone realizes.

Lucy Muthoni: Dear Mark, in line to your response to Tracy, does it mean that some questions might remain unanswered by the end of this session? If so, when will we have another session like this, so that we can post our questions early enough? Will he first look at the questions which had been posted before this chat session?

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Hi Lucy, unfortunately there are many more questions than the Ambassador can answer in one session.  We hope he will join us again in the coming weeks.  All of the questions will be collected and we will forward them on to him for review.

amuteru: Good Afternoon Sir, Thanks you for creating this forum, I am Muteru journalist by profession. I wish you would consider sharing this idea with our parlimentarians to facilitate one on one with their constituents. Hope it aint complicated maybe they can start with the social networks like facebook. Straight to my question. I watched your interview with KTN and would you expound what steps your country will take if the coalition government fails on the reform agenda? and two, What is your role in constitutional process?

Ambassador Ranneberger: Great point and I will encourage the parliamentarians.  You should know that I have also started face book and twitter accounts to reach out to ordinary Kenyans.  My twitter is:  www.twitter.com/usamb4reform and my face book page can be found by entering face book and going to ''u.s. embassy nairobi.''  I have also been doing town hall meetings with young people throughout the country, and I am urging parliamentarians to do the same thing and to join me when I do these.  Kenyan leaders are used to speaking at the people, but not have a two-way dialogue with them.

Djibouti: During Secretary Clinton's visit to Kenya, she visited with TFG president Sheik Sharif and promised US support for the TFG.  What support was promised, and what, if any, of that support was delivered?
Ambassador Ranneberger: The Secretary had a very positive meeting with President Sharif.  I described above the assistance we are providing.

Daniel, Nairobi: Hello there, Daniel Wallis from Reuters here. How do you respond, Mr Ambassador, to yday's criticism from Fgn Minister Wetangula re. the raid that killed Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhanin Somalia? v/r  

Ambassador Ranneberger: I believe that the Kenyan government fully appreciates that Nabhan was a terrorist who posed a grave threat to Kenya as well as the U.S.

Lucy Muthoni: Should I sign off, will I be able to see His Excellency's response to my question(s) later, say tomorrow, if I come to this site?

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Yes if the Ambassador selects your que, and we will also post a transcript to our co.nx Facebook page at http://co-nx.state.gov

kk: what is US stand on the appointment of Aron Ringera?

Ambassador Ranneberger: The fact is that no minister, assistant minister, or permanent secretary, with few or no exceptions, has been successfully prosecuted for the past 19 years.  Clearly, therefore the key institutions responsible for fighting corruption must be reformed and the leadership of those institutions held accountable.  The scrutiny which Parliament has been undertaking is positive.  It is also important that there be greater consultation with civil society and key stakeholders on such issues.  Please look at the statement we issued regarding Ringera, which remains an accurate reflection of our views.

Djibouti: How does Djibouti figure in U.S. interets in the region?  What role does it serve for US regional interests?

Ambassador Ranneberger: Djibouti plays an important role in the region, particularly in its efforts to support the TFG in Somalia.  We have close cooperation with Djibouti.  We participated in the political talks which were held in Djibouti that led to the election of President Sheikh Sharif.

Migolo Benjamin: Mine is just to offer my support to the US ambasador for keeping on the pressure on our silly politician whose business id to look after each others ass

James: how is the embassys engagement with young people in kenya structured?

Ambassador Ranneberger: I am making it a major priority to expand our engagement with young people.  I am holding town hall meetings throughout Kenya with young people and I am encouraging parliamentarians to do so as well.  We are supporting grassroots independent youth movements to be more effective in pushing peacefully for implementation of the reform agenda.  We are also working to help economically empower youth through micro-enterprise programs.

kachwanya: Can I post  the transcript of this forum on my blog kachwanya.com after the session?

Ambassador Ranneberger: Thanks Kachwanya. Feel free to post this on your blog.

Enoch Opuka 2: Migolo -moderate your language

Jack KOdera: Alot of people have a problem with the US definition of 'Terrorist'.  How does the US define 'Pirate' or does the Medieval definition suffice?

Ambassador Ranneberger: A pirate is essentially just a criminal, but the term pirate refers to criminals active at sea.

Nashipai Koima: How does the U.S plan on implementing the 20 billion donated by your country to aid in food growing?

Ambassador Ranneberger: We are now in the stage of talking with Kenya and other governments to get their views on how we can best implement the food security initiative you refer to.  It is too early to say exactly how it will be implemented.  The purpose, however, is to help increase food production in order to alleviate food shortages and to improve nutrition, all of this also to be done in an environmentally friendly way.

amir khan: can anyone ask a question?

Ambassador Ranneberger: Yes. We have over 300 questions submitted right now.

James: young people are disjointed by the coalition govt lack of goodwill in prosecuting the perpertrators of post election violence and we understand the ICC prosecutor has been talking to the secretary of state (US) on the need to push for tribunal. Are we likely to see the US do more than just saying business will not be as usual. We want assurance as young people that we can go back in 2012 and vote knowing very well we wont be attacked for exercising a democratic right.

Ambassador Ranneberger: You are right to be disappointed.  We continue to push the Kenyan government to set up an independent, credible Special Tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election violence.  However, because the Kenyan government has thus far failed to do so, then we support ICC prosecutions.  We mean it when we say no business as usual.  Within the next couple of days we will be announcing specific  steps.

Nashipai Koima: Thank you Ambassador for your time  and for this forum.

Maisha: Are you only posting questions the ambassador has good answers to?

Maisha: Or are you only posting compliments?

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): We're posting answers to the questions the Ambassador has time to answer...there are now more than 150 questions. It is simply not possible for him to answer all of them.

Partnership For Change: And finally Sir, how do you respond to those who say re: Daily Nation editorial today that your threats are being ignored by the GOK and that the US needs to stops the threats and act on impunity in Kenya?

Ambassador Ranneberger: The facts speak for themselves.  The U.S. played a decisive role in helping the Kenyan people resolve the  crisis last year, and we are playing a similar role in pushing for implementation of reforms.  We have a very close, frank, and constructive dialogue with President Kibaki, PM Odinga, and other Kenyan officials.  However, at a certain point actions need to be taken, in view of the fact that there we are deeply concerned about lack of implementation of key reforms.  Within the next couple of days I will be announcing some actions, with more to follow.

Julius Mbaluto: OK

Enoch Opuka 2: I beg to strongly differ about the tribunal. First and foremost we need TJRC - then from there the tribunal. Oherwise in this respect we shall be punishing those who were caught in the violence forgetting those who fanned it in the first place. I am peace worker and have been on the ground

Lucy Muthoni: Good afternoon Kachwanya.

Maisha: Partnership for Change is right.  We look forward to hearing your action announcements in the next few days.

kachwanya: Mr Ambassador when President Obama was campaning to be President he clearly said that he will extend his hands to engage all the Nations even those who do not agree with US, but of late there is a parttern that he doesn't want to engage Kenya although Kenya can't be classified as a rogue Nation, why is this while he is the champion of talking to people to solve problems? 

Ambassador Ranneberger: Actually, President Obama is very much engaging Kenya.  He is paying a lot of attention to Kenya and sent Secretary Clinton to Kenya as part of that engagement.  We are engaging with the government to press for implementation of reforms, but we are also engaging directly with the Kenyan people to urge them to press peacefully for reforms.  The reason we are engaging so extensively with Kenya is because of the importance we attach to this country and its future democratic stability.  We continue to be Kenya's largest partner (over 3 billion dollars in resources flow from the U.S. to Kenya every year from all sources, public and private).

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Everyone, we are staring up a chat on the topic of Piracy.  To join that discussion please go to https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/piracy

Dalmas: The situation in Somalia is very worrying. Do you believe the US has done enough to assist Kenya fight terrorism? The border is still porous. Technological assistance would grartly help.

Ambassador Ranneberger: We are doing all we can to help strengthen the TFG and to fight terrorism.  This includes cooperation with Kenya to improve security along the border.

James 2: Thanks ambassador for engaging us in this chat. We look forward to engaging you more especially us who are working with the young consitiuncy on youth voices in engaged governance

Partnership For Change: Asante sana Ambassador, we appreciate your regular chats with Kenyans and appreciate very much your continued support for the Citizens of Kenya. Have a good afternoon.

Fatma Hyder: Fatma Hyder: Ambassador can we get information on the following:1)Business Volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim majority countries 2)The summit which President Obama promised to host in his Cairo address 3)The new fund to support technological dev in Muslim counties 4)Centers of scientific excellence in Africa M.E etc.5)Global effort with OIC to eradicate polio 6)The president also said that America is ready to join with citizen religious leadres in Muslim communities anything yet in Kenya.Please refe to Obama in Cairo pg 13 thnaks Fatma Hyder

Ambassador Ranneberger: We are following up on Obama's Cairo speech.  I went to the coast a couple of times following the speech to expand our already extensive dialogue with the Muslim community.  We are working on a number of programs to promote educational, cultural, and business exchanges -- and the centers of excellence the President talked about. We are also promoting an inter-faith day of service and will soon provide more information about that.  You can contact the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section for more detailed information.

Jane, Kisumu: thanks for an opp to chat nonetheless.

Abraham Rugo: Hello Sir. Do you think that the health plan that President Obama is vouching for is the right way to go for a country that has for long applied capitalism and free markets? If so, do you think that the US Government will soon be encouraging other countries to follow suit?

Ambassador Ranneberger: I cannot comment on the health plan.  However, I think that the way in which Americans have been debating this issue through public town hall meetings is a great example to countries like Kenya.  I would like to see Kenyans debate the reform issues in a similar open way.

kachwanya: As we know it today there is rampant corruption and with the President stinking with Ringera, what steps will you take to ensure that the money donated by US for food growing is not embezzled by the government officials
 
Ambassador Ranneberger: I can assure you that we can account for every penny of the assistance we provide.  By the way, almost all of our assistance goes through non-governmental groups and other sources, and not through the Kenyan government.
 
Johnie: why is it so difficult to get a student visa to the US even with an invitation from the university
Ambassador Ranneberger: Actually, it is not hard to get a student visa, but you do have to meet certain criteria, and a letter of invitation is only one of the requirements.  There are more Kenyans studying at American universities than from any other African country.
 
CATHY MUTHONI: Hi, is it possible to maintain a green card oiutside the US by paying a yearly fee?
Ambassador Ranneberger: you need to consult our consular section on this issue.

Ambassador Ranneberger: I greatly enjoyed having a chance to chat with all of you.  Please look at twitter (www.twitter.com/usamb4reform) and my face book page listed as U.S. Embassy!!

Security and accountability are free public goods!

Public goods are those that are non-rivaled and non-excludable. This means, respectively that consumption of the good by one individual does not reduce availability of the good for consumption by others; and that no one can be effectively excluded from using the good. Due to the fact that the use by paying and non-paying consumers cannot be controlled, governments have to step in to ensure provision of such social goods. In turn tax monies go towards enabling governments to provide these social services.

Internal security is one such public good that falls to governments to provide to citizens. Though private sector security companies complement government security, they are constrained in providing this service for all as they do not enjoy economies of scale on the one hand and also to provide security for all is not economically viable in terms of ensuring that all consumers pay for such services.

According to Paul Collier writing in an article titled “Development in Dangerous Places” another public good is accountability. Historically, rulers needed revenue for their armies, which in turn provoked pressure for accountability and good governance from the taxpayers. Ultimately, security and accountability to Collier are not just public goods but expressions of power.

In countries of Collier’s Bottom Billion however, social divisions reign supreme. This lack of national cohesiveness in turn makes it more difficult to provide public goods. For instance, the 2008 post-election violence in Kenya aptly demonstrated the weak bonding of nationhood where tribes hacked one another with machetes and arrows causing the nation’s internal security to run down the doldrums. Kenya, fortunately or unfortunately has in its independence not had to face a massive external threat from an external aggressor which would galvanise its more than 40 tribes into a feeling of being Kenyan against foreign attackers. The Somalia and Ethiopian border squabbles never even reached such a point because the Kenya is home to sub-tribes of both nations. And even the most recent Migingo Island squabbles, were over a piece of land that hosts more Kenyans than Ugandans.

This lack of social cohesion breeds numerous self-identities and cultures which clash, and not without blood being poured. What is left is a fragmented population, where for instance the hint that Luis Moreno-Ocampo intends to prosecute crimes against humanity, send politicians into a tizz, whipping up ethnic hatred at the drop of a hat.

The second weapon politicians use is to invoke the concept of sovereignty forgetting that sovereignty requires a sense of nationhood; something that they themselves have to ensure is muted, so as to contain groupings calling for accountability.

Collier even names the weakened status of the military in bottom billion countries as a tool used by the political elite to retain power. It is this same military that presides over hurried swearing in ceremonies of tin-pot dictators when they steal elections overnight. And it is this same military that terrorises the masses to accept these “democratic election results”. But, it is this same military that must remain toothless in order for unpopular leaders to survive.

During the Migingo saga, many Kenyans commented that a small military battalion should invade the one acre island to shut Museveni up. But Kenyans were told that diplomacy was the way to go, even after President Museveni himself insulted Kenyans and more specifically members of the Luo tribe, from whom the Prime Minister Raila Odinga originates.

This was not the first time Uganda’s army had tried to stray onto Kenya’s territory. In the Moi era, and indeed during Jomo Kenyatta’s reign, Uganda insurgencies were swiftly turned back, and it was common to find the borders being closed as a matter of national security. However, probably as a good neighbour Kenya has turned to diplomacy as its weapon of mass destruction. This in turn has also led to the proliferation of small arms which have intensified a heightened scare amongst citizens for their personal safety.

The impact on business

Providing a safe environment where firms can conduct their business is a key function of any government. Yet, around the world, as many as 15% of firms report losses due to crime. In spite of this, a much higher share of firms (almost 60%) protect themselves from theft by using private security services, which adds to the cost of doing business. Interestingly, 16% of African firms report losses due to crime, at par with Eastern Europe and Central Asia. However, over half of the African businesses employ private security firms. Consequently, African firms spend an unrivalled amount of money on security, equal to over half a percentage point of sales, which is considerably higher than East Asia or South Asia.

The Africa Competitiveness Report 2009 (ACR) shows that most of the competitive disadvantage of African firms is due to invisible costs—that is, losses experienced by factors that include corruption (non-accountability) and lack of security.

The business costs of crime and violence and the sense that the police are unable to provide protection from crime are particular concerns for African entrepreneurs. The ACR disaggregates security into costs of terrorism, crime and violence, organized crime and the perceived reliability of police services. Amongst the survey’s findings Morocco’s weakening security environment was found to contribute to the country’s declining competitive position. The security situation in Kenya is also extremely worrisome, particularly in crime and violence, the potential of terrorism, and the prevalence of organized crime.

Unfortunately for small enterprise, there is no significant difference in the cost of security services borne by small firms compared to medium and large ones (in terms of share of sales), nor is there a difference between foreign and domestic firms. Africa’s export potential is further impaired as local exporters tend to spend more (almost 10% more) than non exporters.

Within Africa, individual country’s competitiveness is also adversely affected by the lack of security. For instance, Egypt one of Kenya’s major competitors has relatively high levels of security and a resulting low cost of crime and violence for business. In terms of interest from foreign investors to set up businesses in Africa, security makes many shy away from putting their cash in jeopardy in unsecure environments. Mauritius has been able to exploit insecurity on the continent, benefiting from significant inflows of FDI over the past years in part due to the fact that the level of security in the country is good, particularly by regional standards.

Within East Africa, Kenyan 75% of firms have to pay for private security services. This is 5% higher than the regional average. Kenya also pays the highest cost for these services. In turn government accountability data in East Africa indicates that government wastage of resources is highest in Kenya and the country also has the highest perception amongst its business community that the police are unreliable.

Security and accountability are two public goods that make economic development and growth possible. History has provided more than adequate testimony that civil conflicts in poor countries last longer than international wars. With such a looming dagger hanging over these countries, unless security and accountability to address wrongs are provided (not at cost!), the interest of entrepreneurs to venture into business will be lost. Somalia is a prime example of this where revenues generated from enterprise (whether legal or through illegal means such as piracy) are stashed away in foreign countries, further plundering the country into a failed status.

Finally as Collier states accountability is indeed a two way street between government and citizens. Thus standing up to demand security and accountability is required of us all in the democratic spirit of no taxation without representation!