Following a Visit to Kenya, Feingold Says Strong
Partnerships, Regional Strategy are Key to
Confronting Terrorist Threat in Horn of Africa
November 30, 2006
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Following his visit to Kenya, the first stop
on a two-country trip in East Africa, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold released
the following statement on the need to establish a comprehensive strategy
to defeat terrorist networks that operate throughout the Horn of Africa.
"While still shaking off the legacy of decades of autocratic rule,
the Kenyan people have demonstrated their desire for a true democracy.
Though serious corruption, human rights abuses, and rule of law issues
persist, Kenya is an important partner in a critical region. Our economic
and political ties are strong, and strengthening our relationship with
Kenya will continue to advance U.S. interests in an increasingly important
part of the world. It will also strengthen our national security.
Kenya has an abiding interest in confronting terrorism – both
within its borders and throughout the region. Having felt the devastating
impact of terrorist attacks – in 1998 when the U.S. embassy in
Nairobi was bombed, killing 213 Kenyans and 11 Americans; and in 2002
when terrorists struck in Mombassa – Kenya is acutely aware of
the threat posed by terrorist networks. Like many of our critical partners
and allies, though, Kenya cannot fight international terrorism alone.
Success requires constant, committed American engagement. Like other
countries in the region, Kenya's security services lack the capacity
and know-how to address terrorist networks throughout the region. Kenya's
military, while one of the more capable militaries in Africa, is still
lacking a robust command-and-control structure, as well as practical
capacity to patrol its coastal territories.
While we benefit from close relations with Kenya, we cannot ignore
the fact that Kenya has yet to fully eradicate deep-rooted corruption,
including in the police and security services. These and other challenges
to the professionalization of the security services impede Kenya's capacity
to act against threats. Finally, recent political developments have
called into question the government's commitment to the rule of law
and democratic institutions. Without advances in these and other important
areas, Kenya's ability to serve as a partner to defeat terrorist networks
throughout the region will be hindered. This matters for Kenya, and
it matters to our national security.
Ultimately, neither Kenya nor U.S. interests here can be secure without
committed American leadership in fighting a regional terrorist threat.
Given the complexity of this threat and the conditions that allow terrorist
networks to operate throughout the Horn of Africa, it is imperative
that the U.S. government establish a comprehensive regional strategy.
Our strategy must address an environment that allows terrorists to operate,
recruit, train, and prepare attacks against the interests of the U.S.
and our partners throughout the region. In the Horn of Africa, and particularly
in Kenya, this means using all facets of American power to strengthen
democratic institutions and create vibrant, inclusive economies. It
also means establishing professional security services that respect
the rule of law and human rights.
And in a region of porous borders and the neighboring failed state
of Somalia, it is critical that we address the transnational nature
of the threat."
Senator Feingold's visit to the region, which also includes Ethiopia,
is focused on the threat posed by the terrorist safe haven and rising
instability in neighboring Somalia. Senator Feingold, who is evaluating
U.S. policy options in the region, has called repeatedly for a comprehensive
regional approach to confronting this threat. Most recently, he authored
a bipartisan amendment to the fiscal year 2007 Defense Department authorization
bill which became law and which requires the Administration to provide
to Congress a comprehensive strategy for addressing instability in Somalia
and throughout the region.
Senator Feingold met with a broad range of Kenyan officials, including
President Mwai Kibaki, the Foreign and Interior Ministers and senior
opposition figures. He also met with members of civil society, including
human rights advocates, journalists, and experts on Somalia.
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