By Oscar BravoFong
Editorial office Africa and Middle East
Although current Somali President Mohamed Sheikh Mohamud failed in his first term as head of state (2012-2017) with his policy to eradicate this evil that is corroding Somalia and other nations on the continent, he predicted on that occasion that he would fulfill it will advance its efforts by mobilizing more military and community forces.
As part of his plan, the president, who described the al-Shabab formation (The Young, in Arabic) as “a deadly snake in your clothes that you must kill before it kills you,” advocated the Somali people’s support for military operations.
We must work with our troops to eliminate the enemy, he said, referring to the radical militias that have been violent in this Horn of Africa country, whose population exceeds 21 million, for more than a decade.
Although there are reservations about the achievement of this ambitious goal, the army’s operational efforts in recent months, with the support of local armed militias and the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (Atmis), appear to be beginning to bear fruit.
Atmis, which replaced the African Union mission in Somalia in April 2021 and supports joint operations with the national army in various areas of the country, aims to help build national peace and stability.
As a result of these joint efforts, allied forces have driven the radical group out of more than 40 towns and cities in central Hiiraan province and other territories since early September.
In addition, the fighting not only killed hundreds of extremist elements, but also eliminated the leaders of these groups, including Abdullahi Nadir, who is linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.
In 2011, the militant group was expelled from the capital, Mogadishu, by government troops and detachments from the former mission.
Away from the demarcation, the armed entity, which wants to impose an ultra-conservative regime, has strengthened its bases in other territories and currently controls large areas in the center and south of the African state.
WEAKNESS AL-SHABAB?
But amid the security forces’ offensive, many are wondering if the rebel group that emerged in 2006 when the former Union of Islamic Courts controlled Mogadishu and advocated Sharia, or Islamic law, is truly weakened.
Unfortunately, for quite a few, al-Shabab’s recent actions against various targets show that the unit, which normally employs suicide bombers and other irregular warfare means in its armed attacks, still has strength and maneuverability.
Evidenced by his October 23 attack that detonated a car bomb and shot at a hotel in the southern city of Kismayo, killing nine people and injuring 47, according to a tally by the Jubaland Regional Security Ministry.
Not forgetting that on August 19, the Islamist militia violently occupied the Al-Hayat hotel in the capital for about 30 hours, killing 21 people while injuring dozens.
As a sign of their extensive action, the insurgent unit has also recently carried out attacks on airport facilities and military bases in Somalia and on infrastructure in neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia.
In a scenario shaped by these specific events, the Somali government is committed to weakening and finally eradicating the network’s affiliates, not only through military force, but also through other methods as part of an overall strategy.
Without going any further, the country’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, acknowledging the significant advances made by government forces in central cities, warned that Somalia’s judicial system would impose severe sanctions on al-Shabab collaborators.
Along those lines, authorities banned dealers from supplying funds to the extremist organization, which normally requires people to pay taxes to purchase weapons and consumer goods.
On the other hand, in order to prevent the spread of the armed group’s propaganda, the executive blocked the media, including 40 news websites and television stations, from reporting the terrorist organization’s threats or plans.
After assuring that the provision is intended to promote security in Somalia, the Ministry of Information specified that the policy impedes the dissemination of extremist ideologies both in media broadcasts and on social networks.
As part of the package of measures, government authorities repeatedly called on members of the radical militia to surrender to the army in order to receive support, be rehabilitated and reintegrate into society along with their families. On the other hand, in order to counteract the legal influence of the above-mentioned organization, officials of the Ministry of Justice reported that the military forces will attack the headquarters of the terrorist group’s allied courts that try cases involving civilians.
According to the department’s head, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the directive is necessary because many Somalis are resorting to radical courts due to the weakness and ineffectiveness of the current institutional legal system.
Although polls show many Mogadishu residents do not believe that the government’s new plan of action will be able to nullify al-Shabab’s strength and influence in the state in the short term, others are expressing hope in the executive branch’s new actions.
Somalia, like other African countries, faces challenges related to peace and security that come with promoting development and progress in communities to ensure food security, eradicate poverty and combat the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms.
Located at the eastern end of Africa, this area has been hampered by a bloody internal war, separation of powers and lack of a strong central government since allied militias toppled the late President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. . .
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