Month: August 2019

“Al Qaeda sanction by UN”
“What implications will Somalia have if Al-Shabaab get similar sanction as Al Qaeda?”

These was a WhatsApp message that I had sent to my brother earlier in the day. Not for him to respond, but for my own consumption. I do this a lot on his inbox or on few of my friends’ inboxes. I find it a lot easier than having to write a note. My intention was solely to use it as reference on researching on the subject. I was surprised that the two organizations could be sanctioned.

According to what I learnt during my Undergrad was that sanction is a political and economic decisions that are part of diplomatic efforts by countries, multilateral or regional organizations against states or organizations either to protect national security interests, or to protect international law, and defend against threats to international peace and security. There was no indication of terror group in the list?.

“How can Al-Shabaab be sanctioned yet it isn’t a government?”
“You can’t enforce sanctions on outlawed factions.” These were my kid brother response to my message.

I clearly had to respond. I thought fast through his response which I clearly agree with, but I had to counter it in order to probe more into the discussion.
“They are areas that are dominant by Al Qaeda do not receive aid from any actors, this is done in order to try and freeze all their engagement.” This was my wild guess.

I knew it was true that Al Qaeda are facing sanctions as much as I had just learnt about it for the first time today (forgive my ignorance). I also knew that it was true that Kenyan government has proposed over a similar sanction to be taken against Al-Shabaab.

“How can they restrict aid to innocent civilians?”
“What normally happens is, it is intercepted by the terror groups.” This were his response.

“Explain more” I responded.

“From my own understanding, a sanction is denying a given organization the ability to trade, receive aid, relate with other countries”
“So it doesn’t make sense since doing that won’t affect terror group”
“It is difficult to enforce.”

I did not have much to say since I was deficient of information on the subject. I clearly had all reasons to research more about it. Not just for myself but also for my brother.

My last response on the subject was “allow me to go read more on the subject then I will share my findings with you.”

Dear brother,

I have learnt that there is the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is one of three Security Council committees dealing with counter-terrorism. The other two committees are the Counter-Terrorism Committee established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1540 (2004).

Resolution 1267 (1999) and subsequent resolutions have all been adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and require all UN Member States to inter alia: “freeze the assets of, prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by, and prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer of arms and military equipment to any individual or entity associated with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and/or the Taliban as designated by the Committee.”

On 17 June 2011, Resolution 1989 was adopted, so that the sanctions measures now apply to designated individuals and entities associated solely with AL-Qaeda. On this same date, Resolution 1988 was adopted, creating a new committee dealing exclusively with sanctions relating to the Taliban.

Al-Qaeda Sanctions List (previously known as the Consolidated List)
It states that pursuant to resolution 1390 (2002) the committee established and maintains a list which serves as the foundation for the implementation and enforcement of the sanctions measures imposed against those individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaeda as designated by the Committee. The list is split into two sections covering: A. individuals associated with Al-Qaeda and B. entities and other groups and undertakings associated with Al-Qaeda.

The List, whose count changes frequently due to listings and de-listings, contains 345 individuals and entities (as of 2 May, 2019) against whom three sanctions measures: (1) assets freeze, (2) travel ban, and (3) arms embargo, must be applied by all Member States. The Committee oversees the implementation of these three sanctions measures, considers names submitted for listing and de-listing, as well as any additional information on the listed individuals and entities.

According to the Committee’s website, the list as of 2 May, 2019 currently consists of:
• 262 Individuals associated with Al-Qaeda
• 83 Entities and other groups and undertakings associated with Al-Qaeda
They are actually resolution with deeper explanation on the specifics to the sanctions. You can read more on that (https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/terrorism-sanctions-fact-sheet.pdf)

Interesting, right?
Okay, so the above sanctions to Al Qaeda is the same sanction that Kenya has proposed for Al-Shabaab which should be effective as per now.
According to the Kenya Standard Group Newspaper, Kenya is urging the UN to list Al-Shabaab under the same sanctions as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, but foreign donors say the move could leave millions in drought-stricken Somalia without aid. This could take effect as soon as today. I mean 29/08/2019. Al-Shabaab is already targeted under broader sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Somalia, which is heavily aid-dependent after three decades of conflict and economic ruin.

Presently, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are exempt from these sanctions, which enables them to deliver urgent aid without prosecution when they venture into territory controlled by Al-Shabaab. If no member state objects before August 29 the Al-Shabaab listing under Security Council resolution 1267 will take immediate effect. Read more on the write up on this link (https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001339785/aid-groups-warn-against-kenya-s-un-bid-to-sanction-Al-shabaab)

I pity Somalians if this will/was to take place. All I can say is that I am crossing my finger against this sanction. Just like you said earlier, innocent civilians are going to suffer and even die if this will implemented.

Yours truly,
Big Sister.
B.N

What are your opinions regarding this matter? Do you think that the sanction should take effect?
Looking forward to your engagement on this subject.
Cheers

The World is changing, it’s an undeniable reality!
The change is biting really hard. Dry seasons have become longer and drier, the beautiful ponds and the dancing rivers are drying up fast leaving unpleasant combination of dry sand and ashy rocks. When rains finally show up, it is accompanied by angry roaring destructive floods, what a trying times! For the city dwellers, blue clear sky is becoming a fantasy; it’s all smoggy with a hellish look, it all spells A.S.T.H.M.A.

Our Metrologist are finding it difficult to give correct weather forecast because of the drastic change climate. Winter and summer are all but names that marks nothing, we can experience both the two in a season. The ocean glacier is melting down at fast speed. Wild animals are being extinct because they can’t live in the current condition. Even our domestic animals are dying due to drought and flood. Don’t forget we are recording a high number of death due to starvation and drowning that has been brought by the same drought and flood. The increase of climate refugees is rapidly increasing. No country is safe. We are all potential victims of climate disaster.

These are just a drop of the effects of climate change and air pollution at their lowest!

Okay, allow me to offer my opinion as me. A woman. Not just a woman but a feminist. What perspective does Beline and her likes have towards Environmental Justice and Climate?
Women should be put on the forefront in this great matter of concern. For a long time, climate change and air pollution applied commonly across all gender or rather it was gender neutral; at least that is what people thought. However, with time it became gender sensitive.

In Africa, girls have the lowest probability of getting education that will allow them to pursue careers like being a scientist which will give them opportunity to be part of the engagement on issues on climate change and environment. The reality is that male gender has dominated scientific panels that make decision on matter regarding the subject. In NASA for instance, majority of the staff are male dominated. From a sober ground, do you find it okay?

Let me loop the tradition perspective into this discussion. In our community, women play key role to ensuring that both the family and the community are stable. They typically run the household. For instance, they are responsible to ensure there is clean water and sanitation, food and nutrition, and even in some cases building and construction. When the wells, rivers and ponds which are the primary source of water dries up due to prolonged dry seasons, women are forced to walk long distance sometimes tens of kilometers in such of water; risking starvation, dehydration, exhaustion, and attacks. When the crops dry in the farm or are washed away by floods, and domestic animals die due to starvation caused by famine. Women are forced to look for food that will help sustain the lives of her family.

In cases where a mother gets ill due to breathing polluted air in the streets or from prolonged exposure to fumes from charcoal and firewood from cooking? Not only will the mother suffer but the entire family. This is because of the great role she plays in the house hold.

Women should be directly involved in decision making when it comes to such issues. Our voices should be given great attention on championing against climate change. Demand for clean and affordable cooking fuel, demand for reduction of use of fossil fuels, demand for clean energy because at the end of the day Beline as a woman is at higher risk of the damages caused by poor decisions made in regards to environment policies and practice.