Salim Lone

Salim Lone is a Kenyan journalist, political advisor, and former Director of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information, of the United Nations. In 2007, Lone became communications director of the Kenyan opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by 2008 coalition Prime Minister Raila Odinga. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7256216.stm Annan hails Kenya talks progress] , BBC, 21 February 2008.
] He is a columnist for the Daily Nation in his native Kenya, and also writes regularly for The Guardian in the UK.

Early career and exile

A Kenyan of Indian decent, [ [http://www.shashitharoor.com/articles/hindu/kenyans.php `We're all Kenyans here'] ,By Shashi Tharoor, The Hindu, November 07, 2004.] Lone attended Kenyon College in the United States during the 1960s. [See: Portrait of Salim Lone, "Kenya's Political Gadfly". January 12, 2007] Returning to Kenya he began his career in publishing and journalism in the 1970s, but quickly came under pressure for articles critical of first Jomo Kenyatta's, and (after 1978), Daniel arap Moi's governments. Lone was founding editor of "Viva", a women's magazine in Kenya. When his editorials ran afoul of the Moi government, he was jailed, stripped of his Kenyan citizenship, and exiled to the United States in 1982. He moved to New York City [ [http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-has-salim-lone-fled-from-kenya.html Why Has Salim Lone Fled From Kenya?] Famous Veteran Kenyan Journalist, ODM Communications Chief And Former United Nations Media Director Tells Friends That He Feared For His Life. Kumekucha1 Confidential, February 18, 2008.] where he began working for the UN and editing the Africa Emergency Report. Promised a safe return home in 1986, [See: Portrait of Salim Lone, "Kenya's Political Gadfly". January 12, 2007] Lone came to Nairobi but was again arrested by the Kenyan government stripped of his citizenship and charged with "acts or words which show disloyalty or disaffection to Kenya." [ [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/united_nations/index.html?s=closest&&query=LONE%2C+SALIM&field=per&match=exact AROUND THE WORLD; U.N. Official Stripped Of Kenyan Citizenship] , The New York Times, September 10, 1986] Public and United Nations' presure caused the Kenyan government to drop these charges.

United Nations

Salim Lone rose to become Director of the News and Media Division (1998-2003) during his twenty one year career at United Nations headquarters. His last assignment was as spokesman for the UN mission in Iraq immediately after the US-led 2003 war and occupation. He was wounded the 19 August 2003 blast at the UN Baghdad headquarters which killed UN special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3163877.stm Blast hits UN building in Baghdad] , BBC, 19 August 2003.
[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02EEDD1E30F933A1575BC0A9659C8B63&scp=20&sq=%22Salim+Lone%22&st=nyt AFTER THE WAR: THE SCENE; Amid Blood and Rubble, A Sense of Helplessness] , NYT, August 20, 2003 - By NEIL MacFARQUHAR ] After his retirement from the United Nations, Lone returned to Kenya, working as a columnist for the Daily Nation in Nairobi, [ [http://www.thenation.com/directory/bios/salim_lone The Nation: Salim Lone] ] and contributing to The Guardian and The Independent of London. [ [http://www.selvesandothers.org/view426.html selvesandothers.org: Salim Lone] .]

Kenyan political spokesperson

In late 2007, Lone became communications director for the ODM, [ [http://raila2007.wordpress.com/2007/11/23/the-real-change-for-all-kenyans/ raila2007.wordpress.com] : Raila Odinga's Campaign blog. Lone's appointment mentioned November 23, 2007.
[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/world/africa/05nairobi.html?scp=15&sq=%22Salim+Lone%22&st=nyt Opposition Seeks New Vote As Violence Ebbs in Kenya] , NYT, 5 January 2008.] but in February 2008 it was reported that he briefly fled the country, fearing government repression. [ [http://kumekucha1.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-has-salim-lone-fled-from-kenya.html Why Has Salim Lone Fled From Kenya?] Famous Veteran Kenyan Journalist, ODM Communications Chief And Former United Nations Media Director Tells Friends That He Feared For His Life. Kumekucha1 Confidential, February 18, 2008.] As of April 2008, he remains the spokesperson of the ODM. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/africa/14kenya.html?scp=1&sq=%22Salim+Lone%22&st=nyt New Cabinet Announced In Kenya] , New York Times, April 14, 2008.]

References

* [http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/004094.html Portrait of Salim Lone, "Kenya's Political Gadfly". January 12, 2007] .

Other links

* [http://www.byliner.com/writer/?id=10378 byliner.com list of articles by Salim Lone] .
* [http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/salim_lone/ Salim Lone's collumns at the Guardian] .

Articles and interviews by Salim Lone

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ-ZzbKkU50 US/Ethiopian invasion of Somalia (Video), 2007]
* [http://www.alternet.org/story/46424/ Destabilizing the Horn] , January 22, 2007.
* [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061002/uganda The Real Crisis in Uganda] , 2006.
* [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/10423 The Lost Indians of Kenya] , Salim Lone, New York Times Review of Books, Volume 17, Number 5 · October 7, 1971.