Gang Profiles
East African Gangs
Much of what we know about East Africa comes from our recollections of American intervention in the “Somalian Civil War” and from the movie “Black Hawk Down” released ten years later which depicted a fierce firefight and rescue mission by U.S. forces. In this war, rival Somalian clans tried to depose President Barre and over 50,000 people were killed in factional fighting with another 300,000 who died of starvation and famine. On December 9, 1992, a contingent of U.S. Marines landed near Mogadishu as part of a UN peacekeeping force sent in to restore order targeting the powerful clan warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid. Troops from the United States finally withdrew by March 1994 after 30 of its members were killed and 175 wounded in the conflict.
The vast majority of people who live in Somalia are Sunni Muslims. A small minority of Bantu-speaking people live in the southern part of the country and are often discriminated against. Because of this, few Bantus attend any kind of school in Somalia. Some had to learn Swahili when they fled Somalia during the war, walking for weeks to reach refugee camps in Central Africa. Many Bantus immigrated to the United States from nearby Eritrea. In 2000, the United States identified Bantus as a priority for refugee resettlement and began processing hundreds of thousands of them from refugee camps. Many moved to Minnesota or Ohio, but also moved to other states including California. Previously, many other East Africans arrived in the Seattle area but were outnumbed by West Africans, some belonged to gangs such as Nigerian crime groups. Some even went to U.S. colleges on VISAs!
We need to understand their culture if we are to understand some of the current problems we are having with some East Africans. The history of East Africa is steeped deep in tradition and they have also experienced an extreme amount of hardships and violence for generations. As with Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea have also had bloody civil wars. To forget about their troubles and hunger, some youth would take Kat (pronounced "cot") a natural amphetamine-like drug stimulant that is chewed. Most East Africans parents are hard working people and work long hours at low paying jobs such as taxi drivers, parking lot or gas station attendants, or in small convenience stores or restaurants. As is often the case with new immigrant groups, it is the children that we are having problems with as they rebel against their parent’s traditional values. Many of them have also been exposed to the American gang culture. Many of the East Africans and Blacks that we see in custody will not get along due to street conflicts in the same neighborhoods they live or work in. Many times they will fight with Black Gangster Disciples, Crips, Bloods, or sometimes they will join them.
The rivalries between Bantus, Somalians, Eritreans and Ethiopians seem to dissipate a bit when they come to the U.S.A. Some of these youth have loosely banded together as East African Gangsters or East African Posse. Their situation is much like that of the “Lost Boys”, the orphaned young men who came to the U.S. from Sudan during the 1990s. The majority of crimes committed by EAG/EAP are misdemeanor thefts, criminal trespass, obstruction, DWLS, drug possession or selling, and assault. Many EAG/EAP can be argumentative, unpredictable and will assault staff and inmates. We are very likely to continue to experience problems with these gangs in the future, but one must remember the vast majority of new immigrants abide by U.S. laws and just want freedom and be able to live in peace.
The vast majority of people who live in Somalia are Sunni Muslims. A small minority of Bantu-speaking people live in the southern part of the country and are often discriminated against. Because of this, few Bantus attend any kind of school in Somalia. Some had to learn Swahili when they fled Somalia during the war, walking for weeks to reach refugee camps in Central Africa. Many Bantus immigrated to the United States from nearby Eritrea. In 2000, the United States identified Bantus as a priority for refugee resettlement and began processing hundreds of thousands of them from refugee camps. Many moved to Minnesota or Ohio, but also moved to other states including California. Previously, many other East Africans arrived in the Seattle area but were outnumbed by West Africans, some belonged to gangs such as Nigerian crime groups. Some even went to U.S. colleges on VISAs!
We need to understand their culture if we are to understand some of the current problems we are having with some East Africans. The history of East Africa is steeped deep in tradition and they have also experienced an extreme amount of hardships and violence for generations. As with Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea have also had bloody civil wars. To forget about their troubles and hunger, some youth would take Kat (pronounced "cot") a natural amphetamine-like drug stimulant that is chewed. Most East Africans parents are hard working people and work long hours at low paying jobs such as taxi drivers, parking lot or gas station attendants, or in small convenience stores or restaurants. As is often the case with new immigrant groups, it is the children that we are having problems with as they rebel against their parent’s traditional values. Many of them have also been exposed to the American gang culture. Many of the East Africans and Blacks that we see in custody will not get along due to street conflicts in the same neighborhoods they live or work in. Many times they will fight with Black Gangster Disciples, Crips, Bloods, or sometimes they will join them.
The rivalries between Bantus, Somalians, Eritreans and Ethiopians seem to dissipate a bit when they come to the U.S.A. Some of these youth have loosely banded together as East African Gangsters or East African Posse. Their situation is much like that of the “Lost Boys”, the orphaned young men who came to the U.S. from Sudan during the 1990s. The majority of crimes committed by EAG/EAP are misdemeanor thefts, criminal trespass, obstruction, DWLS, drug possession or selling, and assault. Many EAG/EAP can be argumentative, unpredictable and will assault staff and inmates. We are very likely to continue to experience problems with these gangs in the future, but one must remember the vast majority of new immigrants abide by U.S. laws and just want freedom and be able to live in peace.
GPS also teaches about Black gangs, Asian gangs, White Supremacists, and other Security Threat Groups. We have taught gang classes to many groups, including police, corrections, probation and parole officers, juvenile workers, schools, Job Corps, church groups, etc. if you are interested in our services. We look forward to hearing from you! Take care out there!
For additional information and/or any questions about this gang or other gangs or to make any comments about this page please contact me.
Gabe Morales
Author/Trainer/Gang Specialist
Owner-Gang Prevention Services
<< Back to Gang Profiles List
For additional information and/or any questions about this gang or other gangs or to make any comments about this page please contact me.
Gabe Morales
Author/Trainer/Gang Specialist
Owner-Gang Prevention Services
<< Back to Gang Profiles List