Highlight
- Concerns on Al Shabaab terror topped US President Barack Obama agenda in Africa in July 2015.
- He highlighted the successes made against terrorism as well as the danger that the terrorist group continues to pose especially in Africa.
- On Saturday 26th July 2015, Obama pointed out the successes of forces fighting the Al Shabaab terror group.
- Top on the forces marked successes was their ability to root out most terrorist operation networks within Africa.
- Terrorism however remains a big challenge to the world, according to Obama, since the militants are volatile and always prepared to die.
Analysis of Obama’s Take on Al Shabaab
Forces fighting Al Shabaab terror group in Somalia have chronicled milestones to bring down militants operations. Since the launch of the Operation Jubba Corridor on Friday 17th July, 2015 the Al Shabaab in Somalia have been losing their operational bases at a drastic rate.
These have included the fall of Dinsor and the town of Bardheere and AMISOM troops are still counting successes. Operation Jubba Corridor is aimed at pushing al-Shabab out of its last strongholds.
In Kenya, security agencies have done a lot to cut terrorism operations in the country, especially working on intelligence. The agencies have been able to foil planned Al Shabaab attacks in the country on tip from the country’s security intelligence.
The security agencies have also been successful in destroying Al Shabaab terror operation cells in the country. Intercepted communication exchange between the terrorists’ intelligence agencies revealed that the militants are suffering setbacks due to their destroyed cells in the country.
From the ongoing battle against the Somali armed militant group, it is clear that the future for Somalia only lies in the hands of the Somali federal government and not in the militants.
Al Shabaab militants therefore have no future in fighting. It is only noble that some of them are retracing their steps and surrendering to the government with the advantage of the Somali government offer of amnesty. Here, they are sure of the government’s protection and rehabilitation.
