HEIGHTENED INSECURITY AT DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002760 DEPT FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018 TAGS: KCRM KE PGOV PREF PREL SUBJECT: HEIGHTENED INSECURITY AT DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP REF: A. A. NAIROBI 2610 ¶B. B. NAIROBI 2563 ¶1. (SBU) On December 8 around 8:40 a.m a German development aid organization (GTZ) ambulance was attacked by gunmen. The GTZ ambulance was traveling from the Dadaab NGO compound to Hagadera refugee camp with 7 people on board. The UN-mandated government of Kenay (GOK) police escort for all vehicles traveling between the refugee camps was an estimated 50-100 meters ahead of the GTZ vehicle. As the escort passed, an unknown number of attackers came out of the bush and fired at least 6 bullets at the GTZ vehicle. The attackers reportedly aimed first at the driver, apparently in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The driver had previous experience working in Sudan and was able to maintain control of the vehicle and continue driving. One person, a nutritionist with GTZ, was seriously wounded, and has been evacuated to Nairobi's Aga Khan Hospital for medical treatment. International staff at the camps have remained on duty; they have not been told to evacuate, but are on high alert. The presumption among international staff is that the attackers had crossed over from Somalia to hijack the vehicle and take it back to Somalia. -------------- A Target of Opportunity -------------- ¶2. (C) The UNHCR Deputy Representative said UNHCR believes the attack was an opportunistic attempt to hijack an NGO vehicle and take it to Somalia (police found 2 ten liter jerry cans of fuel, 2 blankets and 1 "ninja type" veil to cover a face near four spent cartridges). Four sets of footprints leading from the attack site indicated the attackers may have fled toward Liboi, suggesting a cross-border attack. CARE Country Director Bud Crandall believes the attacks are consistent with other attacks on humanitarian workers that have occurred in North East Province (Reftels A and B). -------------- Or, Troubling Portent? -------------- ¶3. (C) A December 3 UNHCR security assessment of the Dadaab camps reported that UNHCR does not believe there is either an organized al Shabab militia presence in the camp or that abductions of humanitarian workers are likely. Nevertheless, CARE is concerned that this attack may portend a more insecure operating environment for humanitarian workers in Dadaab: pointing to the probable cross-border nature of the attack, the shooting without warning, and the targeting of an NGO vehicle as being consistent with the previous cross-border incursions in Mandera and El Wak in September and November, respectively. CARE's Security Officer believes the hardening of the north eastern Kenyan border may be pushing this kind of activity south to the less secure Garissa/Dadaab areas. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The December 8 attack could further complicate UNHCR's efforts to secure land for a fourth camp in Dadaab - especially if the GOK, and particularly local communities, associate the increased numbers of Somali asylum seekers and refugees with increased insecurity. The cross-border nature of the attack may also strengthen the argument to reopen the Liboi Transit Center as a security screening site for new arrivals. RANNEBERGER