The Somali based Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen (HSM) movement through its emir, Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah issued threat to Djibouti ahead of elections in the country. The Shabaab leader called on lone wolf style of attacks targeting American and French interests in Djibouti at a time the Horn of Africa country is preparing for the upcoming key presidential elections.
The Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab leader released an audio where he accused Djibouti leadership. In his message, Abu Ubaidah blame leaders of Djibouti for allegedly turning the country into a military base from where every “war against the Muslims in East Africa is planned.”
Shabaab leader specially called on Djibouti youth to “carry out individual lone wolf martyrdom operations” in an effort to expel the French and Americans.” “Make American and French interests in Djibouti the highest priority of your targets,” the audio promoted by Al-Shabaab media, Al-Kataib.
Notable in Abu Ubaidah’s audio wish to pitch Muslim Ummah in Djibouti against the government of the day by portraying it as a ‘persecutor’ of Muslims. The aim is to gain sympathy from vulnerable Muslim youth besides, this will offer a possible opportunity to get some followers (recruits). In his message, Shabaab leader goes ahead and offers what he called “safe refuge” for those willing to migrate from Djibouti to Somalia if they cannot fulfill the “individual obligation of jihad.” He also offers to train them as they prepare for operations.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which has a base in Djibouti, responded to the new message from the Al-Shabaab emir and noted that Al-Shabab remains a persistent threat to U.S. interests in East Africa region.
AFRICOM further noted citing such threats, it will remain committed on the war against terrorist movement. Spokesperson, Colonel Christopher Karns reiterated why it remains important to apply continued pressure on the Islamist Al-Shabaab terrorist network and isolate the threat it presents to the region and beyond.
Al-Shabab previously attacked Djibouti on May 24, 2014 in a double suicide explosion at a restaurant frequented by Westerners, killing three people. The country’s voters will go to the polls on April 9 for presidential elections where incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh is seeking a fifth term in office.
Djibouti also faces Al-Shabaab’s threat. Besides the country being home to a number of US and French military interests, Djibouti has a military contingent serving as part of the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somali (AMISOM) in Sector 4 which covers Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions.
