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"id": 180297,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/180297/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ojode",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security",
"speaker": {
"id": 197,
"legal_name": "Joshua Orwa Ojode",
"slug": "joshua-ojode"
},
"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 4th November, 2008, hon. Mohammed Affey, a nominated Member of Parliament, rose on a Point of Order to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security on the state of insecurity in Mandera District. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the security operation in Mandera East and Mandera Central districts is founded on the illegal arms in the hands of civilians. The clashes between the Garre and Murule clans date back to the year 2005, when the two engaged in violent clashes, leaving several innocent people dead and scores injured. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the clashes culminated into signing of the Garre and Murule November 11, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3345 Peace Accord in 2005. Unfortunately, the terms stipulated in the accord were not fully honoured, resulting in the current misunderstanding. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the current conflict between the said clans began in July, 2008, owing to the disagreement over the location and use of Alango Borehole, pasture and water. The Government has since moved in with due urgency to contain the situation by:- 1. Organising several fora for political and religious leaders to meet and resolve their differences. 2. Sending a team of senior officers from the Ministry Headquarters and several hon. Members from North Eastern Province, led by hon. M.Y. Haji, the Minister of State for Defence, and religious leaders - three times - to facilitate reconciliation between the warring clans. 3. We have also sent a team of surveyors with a view to ascertaining the boundaries of Mandera East and Mandera West districts. 4. We have also beefed up security machinery on the ground. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is unfortunate to note that, while peace negotiations were on track, the hostilities degenerated to armed conflict in which two security officers guarding the contested Alango Borehole were shot dead. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is worth noting that the hostilities continue, despite the Government efforts to promote peaceful co-existence, claiming a total of 21 lives, which include three security officers. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that both warring clans had internationalised the conflict by enlisting support of militias from neighbouring countries, which amounts to gross violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is against the four discussed backdrops that the Government had to make due and warranted intervention by mounting a security operation. The security operation started on 25th October, 2008, with the sole object of restoring law and order. The following are some of the successes of the said operation:- A total of 174 foreign militias have so far been arrested, arraigned in court and sentenced to six months imprisonment each. A total of 186 assault rifles, six bombs, 620 detonators and 1,885 rounds of ammunition and other assorted weapons have been recovered so far. Four communication equipment have also been captured. Those include three Very High Frequency (VHF) radios and one satellite phone. A total of six local chiefs have been arrested for organising and supporting foreign militias engaged in clan conflicts. Those chiefs were instrumental in providing food, water and information to the militias. The matter is in court as we speak now. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 31st October, 2008, leaders from all the affected clans met and resolved to assist the Government in ensuring that illegal road blocks were removed, displaced persons return to their homes and assist in surrender of illegal firearms. I want to repeat: Surrender illegal firearms and cease hostilities! Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, pertaining to when the Government shall terminate the operation, after considered consultations with hon. Members from that area, and upon receiving favourable reports from the ground, the Government has decided to scale down the operation. But the security forces will still remain in the area until security normalises. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to give the latest incident which occurred in the district. On 10th November, 2008, at about 2400 hours or thereabout, militiamen believed to be members of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) - Al-Shabab Militia - invaded Elwak Town through Elwak Bulla Hajo Somali and attacked the following places:- Elwak Catholic Mission and kidnapped two sisters, namely: Geraudo Katarina, Passport Number 1193814B and Olivaro Marioteria whose Alien Certificate Number is 199888, both who 3346 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 11, 2008 are Italian female adults aged 57 and 58 years, respectively. They also attacked Elwak Guest House and Lala Salama Lodge where they stole the following: Three motor vehicles registration number GK A556J, which is a Land Rover 110 belonging to the Ministry of Roads and Public Works, GK A147L Pick-up belonging to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, KAC 098U Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Sheikh Ali High School. They maliciously damaged the side mirror of motor vehicle number KAW 676Z belonging to Mandera Town Council. They also robbed Richard Okoth Odinyo one laptop computer, a mobile phone, a wristwatch, passport, identity card and the payroll for judicial officers. There was an exchange of fire but no injury was reported. The area was thoroughly combed and one militiaman, by the name Abdikadir Mohamed Omar, a Somali male adult, aged 23 years, was arrested. Investigations into the incident have been launched by the DCIO, Mandera, Inspector of Police, Mr. Obeto. The Government welcomes substantiated information on particular incidents including, but not restricted to, excessive use of force, gender based violence and assault for necessary disciplinary measures."
}