Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
NEW YORK (HOL)----It’s been nearly a year since the allied forces stalled the offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia, allowing a breathing space for the group which stepped up its attack across the horn of Africa Nation and beyond.
Al-Shabab has since carried out numerous deadly attacks including the deadliest attack in Kenya which targeted Garissa university which killed at least 147 people, mostly students last month. The group has also carried out the upscale Westgate mall attack which also killed at least 67 people last year.
However, most of the attacks targeted Mogadishu which has seen series of deadly attacks by the group which is trying to impose an austere sharia law across Somalia.
Seeing the mounting challenges, the United Nations envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay who briefed the UN Security Council on Tuesday called for the renewal of the joint Somali and African Union offensive against Al Shabaab is an urgent priority.
Mr. Kay has also alluded plans for UN peacekeepers in Somalia, however, it’s unclear if those forces would replace the AU forces currently serving in Somalia.
“The AU and UN recently completed a joint mission to Somalia to assess the benchmarks for a UN peacekeeping mission; the impact of the ‘surge’ of AMISOM troops, and to provide recommendations on the next steps in the military campaign.” He told at the UN Security Council.
In his briefing, Mr. Kay has also stated that there were plans aimed at developing Somalia’s security forces who are underpaid, and lack proper trainings and equipments to undertake their job than their AU counterparts.
“The Guulwade (or “Victory”) Plan referred to in the Secretary-General’s report seeks to train and equip the SNA for joint operations now. It provides a sound framework; but business as usual will not be enough to support it,” he said.
“A robust architecture for the delivery of international support to the SNA is needed and we are consulting all partners on the options. A similar plan for the police, including regional police, is also needed.”
Despite losing key grounds to the allied forces, the Al-Shabab fighters remain a potent security threat to the region and beyond as the group tried to extend its influence across the world.
However, security analysts pointed weaknesses within the group which seems to be losing support from the Al-Qaeda network after purging top foreign commanders, including the American Jihadi rapper Omar Hammami.
The group is reported to have imprisoned other militants, including Americans and British jihadists, according a recent investigative report by the award-winning American journalist Jeremmy Cahill.