Dangers of foreign service work highlighted by death of Canadian diplomat in Nairobi

OTTAWA, Ont. – The death of a 29-year-old Canadian diplomat in the Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi, Kenya, is highlight the dangers faced by Canada’s foreign service workers.

President of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers Tim Edwards says the growth of terrorism and radicalization over the past 20 years has made it increasingly dangerous for those working in embassies and high commissions.

Edwards says the dangers affect “diplomats from all countries, especially when three countries including Canada have a big target on their backs.”

“Even in places that on the surface, may seem stable, relatively safe, there is always that possibility, that danger,” he said. “In a way, this didn’t exist during the Cold War. This hasn’t existed in previous periods.”

He says foreign service officers are trained to deal with threats and risks, but the Kenya attack shows that they cannot prepare for every scenario, especially for those which occur in countries which are usually considered secure.

“Security situations in countries nowadays can turn on a dime. Kenya for a very long time was considered one of the most stable, safest places to be posted in Africa, and just in the space of a few years that has changed,” he said.

“Sadly, even something as seemingly innocent as going out to a mall on a Saturday to shop with one’s husband – in this case – ended up costing one of our members her life,” he said.

While he believes the government is doing a good job of assessing threats and changing security practices, there is always more than be done in the name of safety for those that serve our country abroad.