Africa
Somalia govt readies troops for al Shabaab assault
Somalia government soldiers inspect their guns before a street patrol in Mogadishu last year. The Transitional Federal Government is planning a major offensive on the al Shabaab militia, which is weakened by internal feuds and defections. Photo/FILE
Posted Saturday, March 6 2010 at 19:44
A moderate faction of the al Shabaab led by Sheikh Mukhtar Robow seeks to establish an Islamic state in Somalia. Their aims are mainly local, and they view the conflict through a nationalist lens. The rival faction headed by Sheikh Ahmed Abdi Godane advocates the use of Somalia as a staging ground for a global jihad. These disputes as well as the dominance of the movement by foreign jihadists are said to have eaten into al Shabaab’s support among the population.
The renewed impetus to launch an attack by the TFG follows a string of reports that dozens of Al Qaeda militants have shifted base from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Horn of Africa.
The New York Times report says Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, who is said to have played a central role in planning the US Embassy bombing in 1998 and the 2002 attack on the Paradise Hotel, could be operating in Somalia.
It says Fazul is currently helping the Shabaab to assemble bombs to fight the TFG. The report said the Americans will not take a direct role in the planned TFG offensive but that Special Forces teams could move in and attack if Al Qaeda suspects are identified.
Although Kenya routinely serves as the base through which the US coordinates efforts to stabilise Somalia, there is concern in government circles that the country does not benefit sufficiently from the relationship.
This was the message taken to Washington recently by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka. Addressing diplomats, US government officials and academics at the New America Foundation, Mr Musyoka said Kenya carried a heavy burden as a result of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and also served as a key US ally in the region.
He said the country should be accorded special status and enhanced budgetary support in a fashion similar to other key US allies such as Egypt and Pakistan.
Mr Musyoka said Kenya supports an inclusive peace process as a way to end the fighting in Somalia. All indications are the military option appears to have won the day and there will be significant fighting soon.
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