Have you ever thought....
I can still remember, back in 1999, after being told that I was deploying to Mozambique to clear landmines, sitting in a train bound for the Melbourne CBD and seeing a single black african sitting in the train. I mused to myself...that I will probably be as noticeable myself, in Mozambique.
and...it happened....and since, so much of my existence has been about being in amongst different races and cultures. I recommend that everyone can benefit from feeling 'out of context'...some time in their lives.
Anyway...enough social theorizing. Here are some photos I took of downtown Nairobi last week...see if you can pick out any mzungus (whites):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1178.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1179.jpg
It is a busy place, thriving with humanity. I took a walk around the place, had a look. My UN counterparts were incredulous that I'd done so...where? Downtown? They will never know.
Then, some photos of my favourite sort of vehicle. This is a tow vehicle for the aircraft at Wilson Airfield in Nairobi...a beauty:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1180.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1181.jpg
Update on Mogadishu.
The AU force, AMISOM have been doing some hard yards. The Ugandans have taken on the insurgent Centre of Gravity (COG), Bakaara Market. The source of much revenue for Al Shabaab. Their efforts have been at considerable cost more than 40 Ugandans killed this week, with 72 evacuated. A LTCOL, a MAJ, and a CAPT have been killed. Imagine the reaction if these were losses involving NATO/ABCA forces?
Currently ramping up to bring a further 3000 troops in. This place is changing and my contract has been extended.
Living in an uncertain world....
This is an extract out of a report written up to report an attack by a vest wearing suicide bomber down at the sea-port late last week. Interesting:
This is a brief on one of the suicide bombers that attacked the port that was made from some interviews. Attacking the port is the closest look at how they may attack the airport we have had for a while so I had a close look at it.
There were to attackers in this instance but good information can only be found on one. He had been a waiter at a restaurant inside the port located near the WFP office. He waited tables and delivered food and drinks to the WFP offices, AMISOM soldiers and port workers. He had held this job for some time. 4-6 weeks ago he started intensively listening to Koranic teachings and lectures often using a radio function on his cell phone, which he often charged at different power outlets in different offices. In recent times he had even asked those at WFP to turn down music that they where playing so he could hear his radio better. He had conversed with those he worked with regularly. He shared some clan connections with those in some of the offices although it does not seem these where ever used to his benefit. He had missed some time at work due to a reported illness, although it is unclear if this was before or after the interest grew in Islamic teachings. Some note they thought he had become more withdrawn in the week leading up to the attack.
The day of the attack he received a phone call. Shortly thereafter he excused himself from work. During the attack the first bomber detonated outside the port near the gate. He was then seen running towards the scene. As he got close he withdrew a pistol and assumed a trained firing stance shooting one Amisom person and adjusting aim shooting another then a third. It was noted he assumed a trained firing stance and did not panic but calmly reset and aimed each shot. (2 struck soldiers in the armor and although knocking them down did not penetrate.) He then ran forward into the position and detonated his explosive. It should be noted that he could have accessed much richer targets in confined spaces but chose this target/method. The explosive vest appears to have been in the port prior to the attack.
These vests and the one that killed the Interior Minister are identical in construction. A relatively small explosive charge (few 'blast' injuries on victims, almost all shrapnel) Damage from the vests does not extend far from detonation points. They are packed with 5mm ball bearings. Muscle walls seem to stop these except in those very close (Those striking legs etc normally the balls are found only a centimeter or two into the tissue) This of course, is partially a proximity issue but it should also be noted ear drums are not ruptured and explosive based injuries such as 'blast lung' have not been found.
