Resolution to curb enrolment into terrorism underway
What you need to know:
- A significant number of Kenyans as well as Sudanese have joined Al-Shabaab, according to a report last year by UN monitors.
- The report estimates that foreign fighters account for about 300 of roughly 5,000 militia fighters.
NEW YORK
The United Nations Security Council, with US President Barack Obama presiding, will consider a resolution on Wednesday requiring UN member-states to prevent recruitment of their citizens by Somalia’s Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups.
A significant number of Kenyans as well as Sudanese have joined Al-Shabaab, according to a report last year by UN monitors.
The report estimates that foreign fighters account for about 300 of roughly 5,000 militia fighters.
Somalis living in the US have also joined the militant Islamist group in recent years.
Two of them have carried out suicide bombings inside Somalia, while others have been charged with raising funds for the group.
The militants have effectively used social media and videos posted on the Internet to urge radical Islamists in other countries to join Al-Shabaab.
The resolution drafted by the US, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, does not mention Shabaab by name.
It does single out the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant along with al-Nusrah Front, which is fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.
However, the resolution also refers to “other cells, affiliates, splinter groups or derivatives of Al-Qaeda” — a designation that would include Shabaab, which has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda.
