Media Release
June 9th, 2000
Ref: SF/EC-014-2000
The Somaliland Forum expresses its profound sorrow over the death of Mr. Dieter Krasemann, in Burao (Somaliland). Mr. Krasemann, a project manager of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), in Somaliland, was killed on June 6th, 2000.
The Forum extends its sincere condolences to the family, the government and the people of Germany over this untimely loss of an outstanding citizen, dedicated to the cause of assisting land-mine survivors in Somaliland. The Forum, particularly, expresses our deepest sympathy to the family, relatives and colleagues of the late Mr. Krasemann.
Although Mr. Krasemann had spent only a short time in his capacity as a project manager of GTZ in Somaliland, he was held in high regard in Burao and will be sadly missed by the people of Somaliland. In fact, the people of Buroa have declared a day of mourning to remember Mr. Krasemann , as the Somaliland’s local papers reported on June the 8th. The Prayers and thoughts of the Somaliland people are with his family.
While the Somaliland Forum condemns in the strongest terms this criminal act, it is our fervent hope that his life would not have been sacrificed in vain, and that the international community and people of Somaliland would be inspired by Mr. Krasemann’s dedication and strive in assisting the survivors of landmines.
The Forum also urges the Somaliland government to speed-up the investigation of this sudden slaying to ensure that justice is served.
SOMALILAND: Authorities ask for international observers at trial
(15.June2000) Following the killing of German national Dieter Krasemann, on 6 June, Somaliland authorities have requested international assistance in bringing the alleged murderer to justice. UN sources told IRIN that there had been two requests for the international community to participate and assist in the justice process. Firstly, by providing an internationally recognized psychiatrist to sit with a Somaliland psychiatrist to decide whether the accused person is fit to stand trial. (The Somaliland authorities stated at the time of the murder that the man accused of the fatal stabbing was “insane”). Secondly, if the man is judged fit to stand trial, the Somaliland authorities have asked that international observers attend the murder trial. (Source: IRIN)
Local sources in Somalia reported, that Mr. Krasemann had not died instantly, but due to the remote location of the incident and since the car he was travelling in had not even a first aid kit, no response could save his life. In addition to the still pending clarification of the circumstances of the murder, the role and activities of the German agency GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit mbH), for which the killed project manager was working in Somaliland, shall now be investigated. The GTZ mbH is a limited liability company under public law, whose major shareholder is the Federal Republic of Germany. It is understood that the GTZ has the possibility to play as NGO (Non governmental Organization) wherever it fits (e.g. in countries with which the German Government does not have bi-lateral agreements), or as Government Agency, when such agreements are in place. The GTZ is said to have even the possibility to work just as company in the private sector and to do profit oriented business as usual e.g. in consultancies, project management, the transport business etc.
Many non-profit humanitarian and aid agencies on the one side as well as on the other hand private sector firms see such a “GovernmentalNGOcompany” as unfit to work in all these sectors due to conflicting interests in-house and conflicting policies in the target countries and sectors. At least GTZs aid sector seems to suffer from conflicting interests, since also in Kenya it was reported on 12.June 2000 by all major newspapers that a member of the Parliament had criticized GTZ for its activities (this time as NGO) in food distribution to people. The MP called the GTZ activities dangerous. Hon. David Musila (MP) urged his constituents to reject famine relief food provided by GTZ, the DAILY NATION reported.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
SACB Press-Release (08.06.2000)
The Somali Aid Co-ordination Body (SACB) expresses its deepest regret over the death of Mr Krasemann of GTZ, in Somaliland. The SACB, comprising donors, UN, agencies and NGOs is deeply shocked at the killing of Mr. Dieter Krasemann, a project manager of GTZ, in Somaliland, on Tuesday 6th June. Upon the request of two SACB members, GTZ (German Technical Co-operation) and the German Embassy, the Executive Committee met today to discuss the incident. According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Krasemann was stabbed while sitting in his car in the town of Burao, and died almost instantly. His assailant was immediately arrested, and an investigation is underway by the Somaliland authorities. The SACB is awaiting the outcome of this investigation before considering any steps to be taken. All SACB members express deep sympathy and condolences to Mr Krasemann’s family and friends. He had earned a reputation for his enthusiasm, commitment and dedication, even in the short time he had been working in Somaliland. (IRIN)
SOMALILAND: German aid worker murdered (07.06.2000)
An experienced German aid worker, Mr. Krasemann, was killed in Burao, Somaliland on Tuesday. Witnesses said Krasemann, who worked for German Agency for Technological Co-operation (GTZ), was stabbed in the throat as he sat in his car with a female colleague outside the Gabahaddi Hotel in Burao, Reuters reported.
Authorities in the self declared republic said the alleged murderer was mentally deranged and there was no known motive for murder. It is the first known killing of a foreign aid worker in Somaliland. (IRIN)