THE GOVERNMENTS of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda all win praise from the US for their efforts to fight terrorism, but a new State Department report warns that East Africa remains a dangerous region for American interests.

Somalia poses the greatest risk, according to the report for 2003 on "Patterns of Global Terrorism."

"Somalia’s lack of a functioning central government; protracted state of violent instability; and long coastline, porous borders, and proximity to the Arabian Peninsula make it a potential location for international terrorists," the State Department says. It charges that one faction of the shadowy Somalia-based organisation Al Itihaad Al Islamiya has aided Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network.

Sudan has made considerable progress on the terrorism front, the report adds. But it continues to list Sudan as one of seven countries in the world that sponsor terrorist activities.

The authorities in Khartoum "have come a long way – a very, very long way – and it's a pleasure to watch," State Department counterterrorism co-ordinator J. Cofer Black declared at a press briefing last week. Terming the Sudanese shift in attitude "profound," Mr Black said he is close to recommending Sudan’s removal from the US list of terrorism sponsors.

Such a move would clear the way for an end to American sanctions against the Islamist regime.

But "there are some things yet that need to be done," Mr Black added. "They've been communicated to the Sudanese government and we're working with them to make these last fixes. I am optimistic."

Independent analysts suggest that Washington is retaining its terrorism-sponsor designation as a means of prodding Sudan to make peace with rebels in the southern part of the country and to restrain allied militias that have been attacking civilians in the Darfur region.

Djibouti, host of the only US military base in Africa, receives unqualified approval in the report for its anti-terrorism policies.

"The government took extraordinary measures from its limited resources to try and ensure the safety and security of Westerners posted in Djibouti," the State Department says. "The government also began an aggressive immigration campaign to remove illegal aliens from Djibouti in an attempt to weed out potential terrorists."

The study does not acknowledge concerns expressed by some human rights groups regarding the "aggressive immigration campaign" that has resulted in the expulsion of about 10 per cent of the country’s residents.

Kenyan authorities changed their attitude on terrorism during the past year, the State Department finds. The shift results from a realisation that terrorism is not only a foreign problem but has roots inside Kenya as well, according to the report.

Following an attack that killed a police officer in Mombasa last August, "the Kenyan government has been more outspoken on the domestic nature of Kenya’s terrorist threat and the involvement of Kenyan nationals in terrorist activity," the US report states. It hails the Kibaki government’s "courageous leadership" in fighting terrorism.

Tanzania and Uganda also receive positive assessments. "Tanzania continues to be a supportive partner in the global war against terrorism," the report says. "Uganda continued its firm stance against local and international terrorism in 2003." 
 

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