On September 21st
at 11:30am Islamist militants from the Al Shabab terrorist group stormed
Nairboi’s shopping mall, Westgate. The attack lasted three days and at least 61
civilians and 6 Kenyan soldiers were killed (Time). The group was targeting
men, women, and children alike, mainly from the political and business elite. Even
President Kenyatta lost a nephew and his fiancée. Though Muslims were also
killed in the attack, those who identified themselves were spared. Al Shabab
stated that it had attacked the mall because of the Kenyan intervention in
Somalia (The Economist). Kenya intervened in Somalia after a series of
al-Shabab blamed kidnappings by sending Kenyan troops across the border to
squash these security threats (NYTimes).
President Kenyatta
is currently under indictment in the International Criminals Court (ICC) for
crimes against humanity for leading ethnic clashes that killed over 1,300 of
his people around five years ago (The Economist). Though it seems that
President Kenyatta is using this tragedy to his own political advantage, in a
sort of rally round the flag effect. The people of Kenya and neighboring
countries have banded together in support of the Kenyan people and Kenyatta.
There have been reports of people flooding into hospitals to donate blood and other
supplies in such excess, that some people have even been turned away.
Following these
attacks, Kenyatta had filed to have his trial date with the ICC postponed, but
the motion had been denied by the ICC. Kenyatta is trying to paint himself as a
unifier of Kenya. Trying to distract the public’s attention away from his
previous crimes, to his “unifier of Kenya” persona. For those in the
international community, Kenyatta stepping up and supporting his people during
this tragedy has not overshadowed his accused past wrongdoings. But will the
people of Kenya see him as a hero or a villain?
Boswell,
Alan. "Kenya Sees in Terrorist Attack the Long Hand of al-Qaeda." Time.
25 SEP 2013: n. page. Web. 29 Sep. 2013. <Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/09/25/kenya-sees-in-terror-attack-the-long-hand-of-al-qaeda/
Gettleman,
Jeffery . "Ominous Signs, Then a Cruel Attack Making Sense of Kenya’s
Westgate Mall Massacre." New York Times. 27 SEP 2013: n. page. Web.
29 Sep. 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/sunday-review/making-sense-of-kenyas-westgate-mall-massacre.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Very interesting article, you made some really good points! I have been following the development of the conflict in Kenya for the last couple of days, and the magnitude of the violence and human suffering that took place is just devastating. The President Kenyatta unexpected wholehearted commitment to his people in this particular conflict seems more like a tactical rather than a genuine move. President Kenyatta is definitely trying to portray himself as a hero in this difficult time for Kenya in order to get sympathy and popular support.
ReplyDeleteDo you feel like the U.S. or UN should help out with this situation, by either sending aid or security? I know this goes against our new foreign policy about avoiding conflicts that do not directly involve our interests, however I could see this spread as more and more groups see that these sort of actions can go un-punished. I also do agree with Andjelka that Kenyatta is taking advantage of this situation by portraying himself as a hero to gain popular support.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if we send should intervene by sending any type of security, some type of aid is always a good idea. It does seem that this incident could benefit Kenyatta's chance of staying in office longer if he has been charged with crimes against humanity. I wish I knew more about his alleged crimes, but regardless of the specifics, Kenyatta could use this attack to his advantage in the political world. I knew about the attacks but did not know about the Kenyan presidents crimes. However, I believe that if the international community has condemned him, it will be hard to him to gain back full support.
ReplyDeleteGood post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Morgan! It appears this form of publicity has benefited Kenyatta in allowing him to stay in power longer but i'm not sure if intervention in the form of security would necessary be the best outcome for the United States. What the international court is attempting to do seems to be the logical step in attempting to try him for his crimes against humanity. Hopefully this pans and benefits above all else the civilians in his country.
ReplyDelete