Uncertainty looms over the upcoming Somalia elections following threat issued by the Islamist Al-Shabaab to attack the electoral delegates who will be taking part in choosing lawmakers in parliamentary elections beginning next week.
The Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab threatened to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation.
The terrorist group emir (leader), Ahmed Abu Ubaidah earlier in the week said the group was opposed to the election process laid out and threatened the electoral delegates with attacks.
The Al-Shabaab leader warned the delegates to desist from taking part in the polls reminding them of what happened to previous delegates who took part in 2017 elections, some whom were killed and others still live-in hiding.
Al-Shabaab claimed credit for attacks that killed dozens of delegates during the last election process in 2017. Ubaidah called delegates to reconsider their decision to participate in this year’s election, adding that those who defy Al-Shabaab will not be spared.
The much-delayed polls are scheduled to begin this Sunday with Somalia’s influential clans electing 54 members of the upper house of parliament.
Al-Shabaab thrives in intimidation in an effort to shape out the political outcomes of elections. Somalia authorities while responding to Al-Shabaab latest threats noted the Islamist militants are aimed at creating climate of fear and intimidation among those delegates expected to take part in the coming polls.
However, threats issued by Al-Shabaab militant group should not be taken casually, rather there is need for a coordinated response by various counterterrorism operators Somalia, in an effort of making the elections a success.
