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Somali gunmen have repeatedly taken hostage Kenyan seamen in the recent past. Our reporter, Mathias Ringa, interviewed Kenya�s Ambassador to Somalia, Mohammed Affey, on that and other issues.

QUESTION: How do you operate your diplomatic docket in a country where the government is not in place?

ANSWER: The Somalia transitional government was validly elected after a three-year struggle for peace in the war torn country.

Kenya and other neighbouring countries played a key role in the formation of the transitional government, which is fully recognised by the international community.

What is needed is for the international community to assist the transitional government in rebuilding the battered country so that it can operate like any other in the stable states.

I deal with the leaders in the existing circumstances pending a final settlement of the Government.

Q: How have you been handling the crisis of Kenyan seamen who have repeatedly been taken hostage by various pirate groups controlled by Somali warlords?

A: In our mission to handle the crisis involving 26 Kenyan seamen held hostage in Somalia territorial waters I work mainly with the transitional government leaders, the United Nations World Food Programme and the shipping agents.

I have made two visits to Jowhar, which is at the moment acting as the capital city of the transitional Somali government.

It is at this city that diplomats from Kenya, Sri Lanka and Tanzania held discussions with the concerned parties last August.

At least we achieved the release of two WFP chartered vessels with 20 crewmembers that included 17 Kenyans who arrived home last week.

But one of the local vessels, MV Torgelow, is still held by Somali gunmen.

However, negotiations are ongoing and we hope that the remaining 9 Kenyans and a Sri Lankan will be released soon.

Q: Who do you deal with in negotiations, the government, the warlords or non-governmental organisations?

A: In seeking the release of the hostages we deal with Somali government officials, community and clan elders.

Community leaders and clan elders have a role to play in such discussions because they have links and roots with the hijackers. It is a complex issue that must be handled very carefully.

Q: Where and how do you meet to negotiate the release?

A: Other concerned parties and myself have travelled to Jowhar in Somalia twice. Other times we meet contacts in Kenya, speak on phone, and keep any means of communication that might help open.

Q: How do you explain the sudden surge in hijackings in Somalia territorial waters?

A: We are very concerned about the surge of hijacking of relief cargo and merchant ships. We treat the hijackings as criminal acts which can happen anywhere in the world.

The international community must come in and assist the Somalia government in rooting out insecurity so that there can be law and order.

Causes of the increase in hi jackings are not yet known. But the establishment of a marine force, which could help in surveillance of the local waters to keep piracy at bay, is necessary.

Q: Is the Somali government doing anything to avert the crisis?

A: The Somalia government has shown willingness to fight piracy, but is plagued by lack of equipment and infrastructure.

Funding is needed from the international community so as to make the necessary tools available, which could help the Somalia authority in stamping out piracy incidents and any kind of lawlessness.

Q: Have you considered a total ban on travels of Kenyan vessels and seamen to Somalia?

A: The travel advisory issued by the Kenya government against venturing into Somali territorial waters is not a permanent one. It was done in good faith so as to protect local shipping lines and seamen from suffering under the hands of pirates.

The advisory might be removed once the piracy situation in Somalia waters is brought under control.

Kenyans can travel there provided that it is not a security risk to them or if there is provision of armed escort.

Q: Do you consider your post the most unique and challenging diplomatic posting in Kenya?

A: Indeed being posted to Somalia is challenging, but I�m familiar with the country.



Source: The Standard of Kenya