Highlights:
South Sudan in a statement announced the arrest of 76 suspected members of the Somalia-based Al Qaeda Branch al Shabaab in the country.
All the suspects arrested were either of Kenyan or Somali origin.
This arrest is the first of its kind triggering the likelihood of al Shabaab cells in South Sudan, a country that is rocked with rebels and guerrilla homegrown militias.
Summary:
South Sudanese government announced the arrest of 76 suspect members of the East African based Al Qaeda branch; Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahedeen who attempting to cross into Sudan at the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
At least half of the apprehended suspects did not have passports or relevant travel documents and are reported to be of either Kenyan or Somali origin.
Islamists have in the past resulted to using Sudan as an access route to join the greater terror network in the Middle East a posing major security threat not only for Sudan but also South Sudan which is recuperating from the civil war that was resolved by a ceasefire deal in August.
Despite this being the first time that South Sudan is reporting arrest of al Shabaab linked suspects, fears have risen with the possibility of active terror cells operating in the country emerging.
South Sudan is home to many armed groups that are involved in a lot of criminal activity, brutality and violence but the possible presence of al Shabaab active cells in the country could pose a new threat to the already vulnerable security state in the country. The current delicate security climate is favorable element likely to be exploited by the militants to build cells.
Al Shabaab has been dealt major blows in Somalia and in Kenya and Uganda where it has been trying to form cells to expand their agenda. For instance in Kenya, its hide outs and bases both in Boni Forest and Dadaab Refugee camps have been invaded forcing them to retreat and hide and seek alternative morphing grounds.
