I haven't done a very good job, but in my posts about Amanda Lindhout and Nigel Brennan I've tried to avoid using a know-it-all, old-Africa-hand tone. But the truth is that from the moment they were kidnapped it was obvious that they had only themselves to blame. There's nothing wrong with throwing yourself in at the deep end and pushing yourself to the limits to bring back back an otherwise unreported story. The problem is when you put other people at risk through naivety and inexperience.
The hack pack in Nairobi had never heard of Lindhout and Brennan when they disappeared. That in itself was a bad sign. Anyone heading to Mogadishu should take a few days talking to people who know the place - the Somali journalists exiled to Nairobi, the international press corps who have parachuted in and out, and the NGOs and UN agencies who try to keep aid flowing into a broken country- to find out the latest security information.
Hotels in Mogadishu come in and out of fashion. Who has the best security and which part of the city is free from shelling?
Which stringers are operating in Mogadishu, and who has the best contacts and feel for the situation in the ground?
These are the sorts of thing you learn to ask over weeks and months reporting from increasingly hostile places. My first trip to Somalia was carefully organised by the United Nations. There were two more trips to Baidoa, at a time when it was relatively stable. Only then - and at a time when the fighting had calmed - did I feel confident enough to make a trip to Mogadishu.
In contrast, Lindhout and Brennan seemed unprepared for what they faced.
This piece in The New York Times sums up the lure of wars for the newbie...
Wars have long provided a way into journalism for some adventurous aspiring reporters (as well as death, kidnappings and injury for others). And courageous, if inexperienced, freelancers have brought important stories to light that might otherwise have gone unreported.
But it goes on to spell out how the pair lacked experience
Robert Draper was already in Somalia on an assignment for National Geographic when Ms. Lindhout and Mr. Brennan arrived. Mr. Draper said that it was apparent that she had been the driving force behind their trip. She had met Mr. Brennan backpacking in Ethiopia. While Mr. Brennan was in Somalia as a photographer, Mr. Draper said, it was not clear whether he had ever sold any photographs.
“She was eager to make a name for herself, and I don’t say that as a negative,” Mr. Draper said. “But a lot of the early and intermediate steps one does to become a journalist, she bypassed. Amanda was very eager to go where the action was.”
They were released after 15 months. But not without a hefty chunk of cash being paid to their kidnappers. Paying up is the only way to get people out. Yet once again the armed gangs are richer and emboldened. Journalists mean cash. And for the long suffering people of Somalia, the two-decade cycle of violence shows no signs of ending.
Well of course it is easy to be smug and blame them for their own stupidity. How many idiots go mountain climbing every year and need rescuing? Or sailing? Do we leave them to their fate? What about people who have car accidents and were not wearing a seat belt or worse DWI? Should we just leave them by the side of the road?
That is what it appear the Canadian and Australian governments effectively done to their nationals. As a "know it all old Africa hand" based in Nairobi how about some decent journalism in place of your rather holier than though report?
How many Canadian government officials and other hangers on were there on vacation in Nairobi "monitoring the situation" How much tax payers money did they spend on hotels, bars and entertainment whilst they implemented their master plan of "out waiting" the Somalis who have nothing but time and don't wear watches? How many other nationals have been left to languish as long as Lindhout and Brennan?
The fact is the Canadian government were a laughing stock among the security community working to release the 400 or so other kidnap victims. And why is it now that there appears to be an orchestrated campaign among the media and it appears frontline too to discredit Lindhout? Is it possibly because you all did nothing and are trying to cover your shame with the usual falsehoods? "IF" you are as you claim s "know it all old Africa hand" why did you not put these idiots in touch with professional help? Why did you not inform the Lindhout family that their government reps in Nairobi were useless?
And pray tell "know it all" what will you do the next time it happens? Will you sit with a drink and write another load of self congratulatory spiel or as a "know it all old Africa hand" perhaps write something useful to advise the friends and families of the kidnap victims as to what the solution to their problem is?
The "gangs" don't get richer they get to hell out of Somalia. And what would you do if you were a long suffering Somali yourself? How would you fend for your family? What about if you were pushed to the Ogaden what would you do say for food, medication or water?
If journalists should stay clear, how about medical professionals? Perhaps ships should cease plying the route to the Suez? What are your "know it all old Africa hand" solutions?
I know people who work in Somalia, Southern Sudan, Ogaden, and Kenya all the time saving the lives of thousands of people some of whom have been kidnapped. None of them had any proper training all of them saved thousands of lives.
Yes Mog is dangerous even for local staff. But I also know people who can and do regularly get them out when the proverbial hits the fan. It usually takes 3 - 4 months. The outrage of Amanda and Nigel is that it took so long and the families personally after a year of being strung along finally got some advice and professional help. Are you suggesting no one should go? And just to be clear if you are ever kidnapped should we just abandon you?