Islamic extremists killed a 29-year-old Canadian diplomat when they raided a mall in Kenya, targeting non-Muslims for death. Annemarie Desloges was shopping with her husband when a group of armed men and women detonated a grenade on the roof and opened fire on shoppers inside the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi. A Kenyan statesman said 59 people had died as of Sunday morning and another 175 were wounded. Canadian officials confirmed Desloges among the dead. “When anyone is killed in a terrorist incident, it deeply affects us,” Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said during a political party event, the Canadian Press reported. “But when it’s a Canadian, it hits home. And when it’s someone in government, obviously it just shakes us to the core.” Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. — John Baird (@HonJohnBaird) September 21, 2013 Desloges spent the past two years in Nairobi working for Citizenship and Immigration Canada as well as the Canada Border Services Agency. RELATED: DEATH TOLL AT NAIROBI MALL RISES TO 68 GORAN TOMASEVIC/REUTERS A Kenyan soldier on Sunday walks out of the main gate of Westgate Mall in Nairobi where Islamist militants were holed up with hostages. “The hearts and prayers of all Canadians go out to the families and friends of all those affected by this senseless tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to those suffering the loss of Annemarie Desloges, one of our diplomats who has died in the attack,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. The attackers picked a diplomatic hotspot for their deadly ambush. The Westgate is a popular stop for foreigners living and working in Nairobi. As many as 10,000 people fill the mall during an average weekend rush, wandering among the coffee shops, boutiques and movie theater. A Somali rebel group tied to Al Qaeda claimed responsibility, bragging about the attack on Twitter before its account was disabled. The rebels of Al Shabaab said the surprise slaughter was retribution for Kenyan forces’ 2011 push into Somalia and threatened more attacks. Witnesses to the bloodbath told authorities the attackers specifically targeted people who weren’t Muslims. Desloges was one of two Canadians killed along with British, Chinese, French and American citizens. Her husband, Robert Munk, was injured but survived, the Canadian Press reported. RELATED: AT LEAST 39 DEAD AFTER GUNMEN OPEN FIRE INSIDE KENYAN SHOPPING MALL Jonathan Kalan/AP A woman who had been hiding during the gun battle runs for cover on Saturday after armed police, seen behind, enter the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. “Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms this cowardly, hateful act that apparently targeted innocent civilians who were simply out shopping,” Harper said. The Canadian prime minister promised his government would work with Kenyan authorities to seek justice. “Acts of terror cannot be allowed to go unpunished,” Harper said. “Canadian staff at our mission are offering Kenyan authorities every possible assistance to bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice.” Baird called Desloges a “distinguished public servant” in a joint statement with Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney. “Canadian public servants around the world selflessly serve our country proudly,” they said. “Like Annemarie, they do so because they believe in the cause of humanity. They believe that their work will better the lives of many at home and around the world. They believe in the values that Canada represents. “We have no doubt that Annemarie touched the lives of many, and it is for that, that she will always be remembered.” Desloges started with the Canadian government in 2006 and became a foreign service officer in 2008. She was previously posted in Delhi before transferring to Kenya.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 18:56:06 +0000
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