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Fear Over Ethiopian Troop Moves At Border

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
July 14, 2004
Posted to the web July 14, 2004

By Dominic Wabala And Patrick Nzioka
Nairobi
Ethiopia has massed troops on the Kenyan border following clashes between its
militiamen and Kenya's security forces in which three Kenyans were killed.
Intelligence sources yesterday revealed that soldiers in 33 trucks, including
armoured personnel carriers, were deployed to the Lokitaung border area on
Monday evening.
Residents described the situation as tense.
Kenyan GSU personnel camping at Kibich, near Lokitaung, have requested urgent
material reinforcement, especially firearms, saying the Ethiopians intended to
retaliate against Kenya for repulsing the Merille militiamen who last week
attempted to steal livestock.
Foreign Minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere told a press conference in his office
yesterday he was aware that Ethiopian troops had taken positions along the
border but would not give details on the reasons.
Initially he indicated he would verify the information with his officials to be
able to make a statement on the situation as he had received the news only from
the Press.
But pressed to explain the border situation, Mr Mwakwere admitted he had the
facts but would not share them with the Press now.
The tension was fuelled by an incident on Friday afternoon in which a GSU
patrol team near Lake Turkana was attacked by about 200 heavily armed Ethiopian
Merille militiamen.
In the ensuing gun battle, GSU constables Cleophas Mangeni, Abraham Tondosia
and Ephantus Naigwek were killed. Another officer, identified as Isaac
Sitienei, was shot in both legs but was rescued and later airlifted to Lodwar
for treatment.
The Ethiopian militiamen stripped the GSU officers naked and took away two G3
rifles, an FTBT 13 rifle and 140 rounds of ammunition.
The officers' bodies were later recovered by security personnel deployed to the
area following the attack. They were transferred to Lodwar District Hospital
mortuary.
Police spokesman Jasper Ombati confirmed the incident and said security
personnel were monitoring the situation.
Earlier five Borana herdsmen narrowly escaped death when a landmine exploded
and killed a camel.
Security personnel followed three pairs of footsteps which led into Ethiopia.

   

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