| PHOTO: | Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu released. PHOTO.COURTESY |
|
| |
|
|
By:
Sophie Njoka
|
| Posted:
Mar,22-2022 02:57:09
|
|
| |
|
Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu, the only Kenyan national who has been held at the US Guantanamo Bay detention camp, in Cuba, for 15 years, is now a free man, his family confirmed yesterday.
In an interview with People Daily, Malik’s elder sister, Mwajuma Rajab, a resident of Likoni, said her brother was officially released from detention two weeks ago and was in the custody of the US government awaiting a final decision from Kenyan authorities on whether he can be allowed back home or not.
Mwajuma said she had communicated with her brother on Thursday last week.
“He was not in his jail uniform and handcuffs when we talked… he was out there enjoying his freedom just like an ordinary citizen, awaiting directions on when he can travel back home,” she said.
Mwajuma further disclosed that following his release, Malik’s lawyer, Mark Maher was set to visit Nairobi later this week to meet senior State officials to discuss his (Malik’s) repatriation process.
“There are ongoing negotiations between Kenyan and US government officials. I have already been contacted by Malik’s lawyer who is set to travel to Nairobi to meet senior Interior ministry and US diplomatic officials, to shed more light on Malik’s return,” she said.
Uncertain future
According to Mwajuma, the decision to have Malik’s lawyer travel to the country was reached after the Kenya government failed to respond to correspondence from the United States seeking to have Malik return to his home in Likoni, Mombasa county.
“The US government has tried to reach out to the Kenya government on how Malik will return to the country and be integrated back to society, however, Kenya government officials have remained silent on this,” she said.
Mwajuma noted that in her conversation with Malik, it was evident his brother was excited about returning home.
Malik’s future, however, remains uncertain, as the government has declared him “a threat to national security”.
Mwajuma revealed further that the US has so far identified four foreign countries as alternatives to take Malik, in case the Kenya government declines to accept him.
“During our conversation, Malik’s lawyer is hesitant to have him resettled here since the government has declared him as a threat to national security, as such Maher has advised that in case the country declines to have him back, he should go for the other options,” said Mwajuma.
Mwajuma added that although the family had expressed fear over Malik’s return, the former Guantanamo Bay detainee had maintained that he wanted to return to his motherland and he was ready to fight for his rights. “We are truly afraid for his life. We know that he is not safe back here and we have tried to persuade him to settle in any of the other four countries where his security is guaranteed but he has insisted he wants to return home,” said Mwajuma.
The father of three who was arrested outside his hotel in Tudor, Mombasa, has been in detention over alleged involvement in the Kikambala-based Paradise Hotel terror attack in which 13 people were killed.
Diplomatic arrangements
Mwajuma thanked the Joe Biden administration, saying although she was not aware of how his brother would arrive home, she was waiting for diplomatic arrangements between Kenya government and the US to inform them.
Malik was picked up by Kenyan detectives on allegations of plotting a terrorist attack. He was never charged with any terror crimes. However, he was held in “indefinite detention,” for over 15 years.
Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho in January said the government was aware of Malik’s release from prison, however, they would consider involving US and Kenyan diplomats in arriving at the right decision.
“The Kenya government has good diplomatic relations with the US government, and in reaching at a decision to allow him back we would have consulted widely… at the moment we are yet to begin the process,” he said.
Malik had been arrested by Kenyan authorities in 2007 in Mombasa on allegations of plotting to attack American installations near Mombasa.
|
|
Source:
People Daily
|
|
.jpg)
RSS