Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia have increased their assassinations, killing prominent figures, scholars, journalists, and most worrying, legislators and local political administrators.
The surge has been significant. The effect is being felt across the country. There is fear and uncertainty on who will be next.
“The objective f Al-Shabaab is to destroy political leadership structures and take advantage of political differences. In such scenarios, they can lobby a sympathetic legislator to fill gaps they’ve created. It is a long-term strategy.” Points out David James, the regional intelligence director at Strategic Intelligence.
Several pro-government members of parliament have been killed for their roles in changing the country’s future direction.
The shebaab seeks to install a new political order which will dissent and even participate in facilitating terror attacks inside parliament.
“The process of planning a terror attack is lengthy, and the shebaab is at it in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, not forgetting Djibouti. They keep on planning and once they identify and conclude a target is worth a hit, they do it.” David James argues
