To defeat al-Shabaab, build alliances with local people
What you need to know:
- This is a strategy that proved a winner in Ethiopia, where Addis Ababa realised its troops were seen as a hostile force in the Somali federal state and decided to cultivate alliances with local groups.
- Above all, Kenyans across ethnic and religious boundaries must realise that terrorism is a shared challenge. We all suffer when tourists stay away and the shilling depreciates.
No nation can successfully beat an insurgent campaign without the active cooperation of all parties involved.
Abdiwahid Biriq, secretary of the North East Professionals Association, was spot on in his article in this paper on May 31 urging a refinement of the country’s anti-terror strategy (Terrorism can only be defeated through collective action).
Around the world, it has been proved time and again that only by seeking to build strong alliances with local leaders, religious figures of authority, clan elders and cultivating an amicable relationship between security forces and residents of affected areas can murderous groups like the Shabaab be defeated.
The formation of a local team composed primarily of Somali youth in the north-east to serve as an anti-Shabaab squad should be given particular thought.
This is a strategy that proved a winner in Ethiopia, where Addis Ababa realised its troops were seen as a hostile force in the Somali federal state and decided to cultivate alliances with local groups.
COMMON SENSE SUGGESTIONS
Even before going that far, however, authorities in Nairobi should embrace the many common sense suggestions that have come from the North East Professionals Association.
In particular, training a large number of locals in gathering human intelligence (and having a budget to support this), coupled with deploying these assets in all areas of social engagement including mosques, madrasas, markets, hotels, bars, institutions of learning and the transport industry, is essential.
Offering the brave Imams who take a stand against the Shabaab, who thrive on intimidation and murder, is essential.
Above all, Kenyans across ethnic and religious boundaries must realise that terrorism is a shared challenge. We all suffer when tourists stay away and the shilling depreciates. The people of the northeast are now feeling a disproportionate pinch due to the declining education and health services in the region.
It is counter-productive to label any group with a blanket tag or fan xenophobic feelings because we are in the same boat of the fight against terror together.
All key interested parties should come forward to back the difficult war against the cowardly murderers of al-Shabaab.
Timothy Bowen, Nairobi.
