Me and Anthony in a Djibouti bar in March -- much better times.It just not bloody fair.
Earlier tonight, I found out that Anthony Mitchell, a reporter for the AP based in Nairobi and one of the most interesting and funny guys I've met in a long time, was on a plane that crashed in Cameroon on Saturday. In all, the Kenyan Airways flight was carrying 114 people.
It doesn't look good, and my heart is heavy tonight. As the report says:
Among the passengers of the Boeing 737-800 was a Nairobi-based Associated Press correspondent, Anthony Mitchell, one of five Britons on a passenger list released by the airline. Mitchell had been on assignment in the region.
Most of the passengers were apparently en route to Nairobi to transfer to other flights.
I met Anthony, who is 39, in March in Djibouti, when we both were onboard the FGS Bremen, a German frigate, for a story on maritime security operations in the area. Anthony was full of funny, self-deprecating stories about himself and Africa, stories that contained no small amount of hard-won wisdom, too. He talked about the clans of Somalia, the US military's actions in the Horn of Africa and constantly took the piss out of our military escort in the most good-natured way possible. (Anthony's from London while LCDR "Grassy" Meadows of the Royal Navy is from the north of England.)
I didn't know him long, but in the few days I knew him, he was a reporter's reporter, working constantly, cell phone seemingly glued to his head as he chased down reports of the kidnapped Britons in Ethiopia and set up an interview with the president of Djibouti.
He was kicked out of Ethiopia last year, he said, because he upset the government there. Apparently, they didn't like his reports on corruption and he was given just 24 hours to leave the country. While that was no doubt a huge inconvenience, I can't help but have a soft spot for reporters who tweak the powers-that-be as much as he did.
He loved Africa, he said. He liked small towns and eschewed most of the "mod-cons," as he called air conditioning and the like. He also carried around in his wallet a photo of his wife, Catherine, and his kids, Tom and Rose. They looked like a really nice family.
I wish the outlook looked better, but right now I'm left with hoping for the best for Anthony's family -- and for all the families of the people on that plane. For while this post is about Anthony -- only because I know him -- I know that he was just one person and that 114 families are anxiously awaiting word.
UPDATE 5/7/07 12:38:20 PM +0200 GMT: A grim update. Cameroon officials say there is "no chance" of survivors.
Condolences, Chris. It was nice of you to post such a fun picture of him—clearly someone who sucked the marrow out of life.
Hi Chris,
I knew Anthony, too. I hadn’t seen him for 10 years, but my head’s still spinning with the news. I worked with him during his first reporting job on local papers in London. Even then he was dragging up the murky secrets of West London’s great and (not so) good. He was a natural. I’m feeling very sad for his wife and two nippers.
I’ve known Anthony since about 2003 and was one of the most tenacious people I’ve ever known.He was kind hearted and loved to rib people.The memeories that I will have of him are the times that we would call each other up and meet for a drink somewhere in Addis Ababa.He always wanted to go to local drinking places, not where expats,tourists and rich folks hung out.We would talk for hours about everything under the sun.He was very interested in what us Ethiopians thought about local issues and news stories in general. Mate, I’m really goinig to miss you.You and your family will be in my prayers. R.I.P mate God bless you. Alex
I’m Anthony’s brother-in-law and reading these tributes and memories has meant a lot. He was just a fantastic guy; one of the funniest people you could ever meet, but he had a very gentle, caring side too. I’m just choked writing this, but proud to have been part of his family these past ten years or so. He was a great journalist too, but above all please pray for his lovely wife Catherine; Tom and Rose, the two children he has left behind; his parents John and Jackie; and his sister Jo, my beautiful wife. Tim Jotischky London.
My deepest condolences to all who knew Anthony. I heard Anthony on Democracy Now just a few weeks ago - given the nature and significance of Anthony’s recent reports, I for one have become quite suspicious about the circumstances surrounding the loss of a 6-month old aircraft like this - His legacy of courage and truth will prevail for a very long time, however. And despite the ongoing oilgrab and stirring of civil unrest.
My condolences, Chris, to you, all his friends and family.
By your account, I know he had to be an extraordinary guy.