CrisisWatch is our global conflict tracker, an early warning tool designed to help prevent deadly violence. It keeps decision-makers up-to-date with developments in over 70 conflicts and crises every month, identifying trends and alerting them to risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace. In addition, CrisisWatch monitors over 50 situations (“standby monitoring”) to offer timely information if developments indicate a drift toward violence or instability. Entries dating back to 2003 provide easily searchable conflict histories.
Attacks by Al-Shabaab continued including at least 29 killed 5 July in Hindi, Lamu county and Gambi, Tana River county; 7 killed, 8 injured 18 July in Witu town, Lamu county; 4 killed 20 July in Mombasa; 2 suspected militants killed 25 July. 2 tourists killed by gunmen in Mombasa 6 July and 24 July; police blamed killings on normal “thuggery” amid ongoing Al-Shabaab warning for tourists to stay away. Opposition rally 7 July remained peaceful, failed to put pressure on govt. Targeted killings of Ogaden clan members increased last 2 months; 2 killed early July. Herdsman killed, 140 livestock stolen by Samburu raiders in Meru county.
Security worsened with increased terrorist attacks, including assassination of moderate Muslim cleric Sheikh Mohammed Idris 10 June in Mombasa. At least 58 killed 15-16 June in Mpeketoni town, Lamu county; scores killed 24 June in attacks on nearby Witu and Poromoko towns. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, President Kenyatta blamed local political forces; Lamu county governor arrested for questioning over attacks. Police 2 June dispersed rioters in Mandera town after killing 2 suspected Al-Shabaab clerics previous day. Opposition Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) 31 May called for national dialogue to address alleged govt failures. Bomet county governor 13 June called on United Republican Party (URP) leader to hold crisis talks, accused ruling Jubilee coalition partners of discrimination. Ethnic tensions remained high in northern Kenya with at least 20 killed 22 June in clashes between Degodia and Garre clans in Wajir county.
Terror attacks escalated across Kenya killing at least 30 this month including: 12 killed 16 May in Nairobi; 12 killed 19 May in Mandera county; 2 soldiers killed in Lamu 26 May. Police rounded-up over 300 in Mombasa 24-25 May in crackdown following 22 May grenade attack that injured 2; 80 more Somalis deported to Mogadishu 20 May. Senior Al-Shabaab member Fuad Mohamed Khalaf Shongole 22 May threatened further attacks on Kenyan capital. UK, U.S., France, Australia 15 May issued travel warnings; UK nationals advised to leave Mombasa. Main opposition party 5 May demanded troop withdrawal from Somalia; govt rejected call, confirmed long-term commitment. Inter-clan violence continued in NE, dozens killed throughout month: 3 killed 13 May and 12 killed 29 May in Wajir county; 5 killed 17 May and 3 more killed 28 May in Mandera county; 2 killed in Garissa county 24 May. Inter-communal conflict in Turkana county 22-25 May left 1 dead, at least 44 homesteads burned, significant numbers of livestock stolen
At least 4,000 alleged illegal immigrants, including So- mali refugees, arrested in ongoing counterterrorist operations, majority held at Kasarani Stadium for “screening”; at least 170 Somali refugees deported to Mogadishu. MPs accused govt of collective punishment and ethnic profiling. Somalia withdrew ambassador 27 April following arrest of diplomat. Radical cleric Sheikh Abubakar Shariff Ahmed, alias “Makaburi”, shot dead 1 April; supporters, sections of Muslim community accused govt of extrajudicial killing. Al-Shabaab 22 April released video threatening attacks on scale of Sept 2013 Westgate Mall siege. Car bomb killed 4 including 2 police in Nairobi 23 April. Several IED attacks reported 6 April in Mandera, near border with Somalia. UNHCR vehicle hijacked from Dadaab by suspected Al-Shabaab militants 23 April. Inter-clan fighting in NE continued including 2 April clash over disputed area along Elwak-Lafey road that killed 2. Raid by armed bandits killed 5 including 2 police in Turkana in south 4 April.
Intercommunal clashes increased: at least 5 killed, hundreds displaced 7 March by clashes between Kalenjin and Luo along Kericho-Kisumu county border; Borana and Somali herders clashed in series of retaliatory attacks over watering points in Isiolo county. 6 killed 31 March in suspected grenade attacks in Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb. Govt 25 March ordered urban-based Somali refugees to move into designated refugee camps citing “emergency security challenges” following several attacks by Al- Shabaab militants. Security services 17 March intercepted vehicle carrying 2 bombs allegedly heading for govt installation in Mombasa; 2 arrested. Suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen 14 March attacked police camp in Mandera near border, 1 police killed; gunmen 13 March opened fire on police reservist near Mandera roadblock, 1 civilian killed. Gunmen 23 March stormed church in Mombasa, killed 6; 2 suspects in attack killed by police in gunfight 28 March. ICC 31 March delayed trial of President Kenyatta to 7 Oct.
Police 2 Feb raided Masjid Musa mosque, Mombasa; clashes with worshipers left several dead, many others injured; over 100, including children, arrested; police claimed jihadi convention underway. Fighting between Borana and Burji youths continued in Moyale, Marsabit County, NE. Nairobi police 13 Feb forcibly dispersed peaceful protests over insecurity, corruption, impunity and high cost of living; 4 rights activists arrested. National Security Advisory Committee 13 Feb reported it had intelligence proving USAID planned to destabilise govt through ICC process.
Western embassies early-Jan issued new travel advisories on heightened risk of terrorist attacks following grenade attack on popular bar in Diani beach targeting New Year’s celebrations that injured 10. Media reported Al-Shabaab broadening recruitment drives beyond Muslim-dominated NE and coastal regions. Inter- tribal violence in NE continued: 4 Gabra community members killed early Jan by Borana tribe assailants in Moyale, Marsabit county; security forces deployed but failed to prevent large-scale raid by Borana from across Ethiopian border.
Inter-ethnic clashes in north increased: dozens killed, thousands displaced by clashes between Borana and Gabra communities in Marsabit. Parliament 5 Dec approved deployment of army to Marsabit, Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu. Madrasa teacher believed to be former Al-Shabaab militant working with Kenyan security forces to fight terrorism beheaded 2 Dec in Malindi. Hundreds of Muslim youths from controversial Masjid Musa mosque, widely viewed as centre of Islamist radicalisation, invaded Sakina mosque in Majengo, forcefully evicted Imams, vowed to introduce jihad sermons at all mosques in Mombasa and act against those working with state agencies; police arrested 18. At least 4 killed 15 Dec in suspected Al-Shabaab grenade attack on bus in Nairobi.
Resolution to defer ICC trial of President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto failed to pass UNSC vote 15 Nov; govt 21 Nov proposed amendments to ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence at Assembly of State Parties (ASP) including change to require suspects be physically present; ASP adopted 3 new rules minimising obligation of accused to be present. Kenyatta 28 Nov vetoed controversial media bill imposing tighter regulations.
Fears of violent backlash against Somali and Muslim communities following Sept al-Shabaab attack on Westgate mall grew; radical Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Rogo and 3 others killed by gunmen in Mombasa 3 Oct; Rogo’s supporters claimed shooting was reprisal by Kenyan security forces. Muslim youths 4 Oct clashed with police in Mombasa, 4 killed and church set on fire. Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku 25 Oct criticised Dadaab refugee camp near Somalia border, echoing sentiments of Kenyan Parliamentary Committee on Defence which 30 Sept called for closure, claimed camp “a nursery for terrorists”. Military 31 Oct bombed al-Shabaab camp in Somalia (see Somalia). AU leaders 22 Oct requested UNSC defer ICC trials of President Kenyatta and VP Ruto, AU also called for immunity for serving heads of state; trial of Kenyatta delayed from 12 Nov to 5 Feb 2014.
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