Unity key to counterterrorism
ADDIS ABABA – Al-Shabaab, a notorious insurgent group with a stronghold in Somalia is now reemerging and expanding presence in East Africa thereby posing a serious security threat in the already turbulent region, an expert in the area said.
Al-Shabaab’s longstanding links with the other terrorist organization Al-Qaeda also mean that the latter’s presence in East Africa and beyond is intensified, Endale Nigussie, International Relations and Diplomacy Lecture at Civil Service University told The .
The expert noted that the absence of justice, democracy and good governance as well as inequality are the major factors for the mushrooming of extremist groups including Al-Shabaab even if their agenda is more political than addressing social bottlenecks.
As to him, East Africa’s geopolitical significance and being the major trade route among Africa, Asia and Europe intensifies Al-Shabaab’s interest to control the area thereby influencing the busy import-export corridor. Neo Colonizers who have special interest in the region often sponsor terrorist groups to weaken state apparatus or establish weak governments thereby securing their interests. “This is a catalyst for any terrorist groups to destabilize the region.”
“It is evident that some Western interest groups are interfering in the internal affairs of Horn countries and influencing the latter’s democratic activities in particular elections. Such an influence elongates the lifetime of Al-Shabaab in Somalia and the Horn as well.”
Noting Al-Shabaab has made every attempt to expand to Horn countries, the expert highlighted that the terrorist faction could not bring serious impact in Ethiopia as it did in Kenya other East African countries. This is largely attributed to Ethiopia’s success in developing a culture of establishing strong government and managing internal affairs without external interference.”
“Here, I am not saying Al-Shabaab has not been trying to expand to Ethiopia, but it could not be operating and destroying the former as it has been doing in Kenya. Kenya’s government structure is a fertile ground to fulfill the interest of neo-colonizers. There is a high level of foreign interference there. This state of affairs helps Al-Shabaab to easily move inward and outward of Kenya. The number of terrorist attack in Kenya is by far greater than that of Ethiopia both in size and severity.”
Citing Al-Shabaab was previously worked in tandem with the Terrorist TPLF, Endale indicated their evil alliance has not caused a serious impact due to the vigilance of Ethiopia’s security apparatus.
“There are two reasons for the mushrooming of terrorist groups in the East Africa. One is that countries are not effective in managing their internal affairs, ensuring democracy, good governance and the like. They will lack the capacity to coordinate the public at large and fight against the evil groups. The other thing is the interference of foreigners. Al Shabaab is a wing of Al-Qaeda. This means the group is operating worldwide as it has its own network supported by influential people and groups who have special interest over east Africa. This helps it to gain unwavering financial and logistic support.”
The western media is also another factor contribute for the terrorist group to flourish. These media outlets provide in-depth coverage for the terrorist attack but not willing to reporting the operation against the radical elements.
Horn countries should work in unison in countering terrorism and to strengthen regional blocs including IGAD. Also, a lot is expected from the international community to support the East African countries’ engagement to neutralize the radical elements, the expert appealed.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
SUNDAY EDITION 29 MAY 2022
