AL-SHABAAB VERSUS THE SOMALI GOVERNMENT: DRAMA UNFOLDS
Kanini Evans Kariuki
July 15, 2009
NEITHER AL-SHABAAB NOR THE SOMALI GOVERNMENT HAS THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL POWER, BUT AL-SHABAAB APPEARS A BIT MIGHTIER……….
THE Transitional Federal Government that has been besieged in an area not more than 1˝ kilometer square, and has a problem in obtaining reinforcements from the other regions and districts, can only be rescued by the African Union (AU) forces led by the Ugandans who are presently guarding the Somali State House, the airport and the seaport of Mogadishu.
On July 11, 2009, the opposition group came too close to State House whereupon the Ugandan commander of the Ugandan forces in Mogadishu sought out State House and the Transitional government forces.
The AU forces managed to ward off the Al-Shabaab-led forces nearly to the outskirts of Mogadishu, but no sooner had the Ugandan forces resumed their position at the Barracks, than the Transitional Government returned to its previous location, hence the unfolding drama that resulted in the Al-Shabaab forces re-grouping and following the footsteps of the Transitional Government forces.
Although the Ugandan forces denied their participation in the fighting between the government-led forces and the opposition group, the Ugandan commander stated that they would wage other attacks from Baidoa and Kismayu.
According to reliable sources, the Ugandan Commander is of the opinion that the current Transitional Federal Government headed by H.E. President Shariff has the capability of military might or the political experience and leadership vision.
What transpired from the fight in which the Ugandans took part, clearly illustrates that the Transitional Government cannot withstand the Radical group and their allies, and it (Government) is likely to be squeezed into a precarious position or cul-de-sac, if the previous military forces of Somalia who have the necessary academic qualifications and experience, are not re-recruited to train the current militia that lacks military discipline, loyalty and allegiance to the state.
The International community seems reluctant in addressing the Somali crisis that impacts negatively on the security of the Horn of Africa, as well as the safety of the international trade that flows to and fro the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.
The easy defeat of the Al-Shabaab group and its Alliance by the Ugandan and TFG forces, also spews out some lesson and message: it is a pointer that they (Al-Shabaab) have somehow dwindled in strength and do not command the original mighty force they used to boast of!
That notwithstanding, the Al-Shabaab outfit and its allies appear to still have the strength of defeating the government and taking over Mogadishu-the Somalia capital city, should any chance or loophole on the part of their "perceived enemies" which they can take advantage of come their way.
Were it not for the AU forces represented by Uganda and Burundi to jump to the fray with quick wit, the Al-Shaabab would have realized their objectives. They had moved too near to State House and we could be telling a different story.
Amid the unfolding drama, two Frenchmen were kidnapped from the Al-SAHAFI hotel located at Zone kilometer 4, West of Mogadishu by individuals who were attired in the Transitional Government military uniform.
These individuals broke into their room, hand-cuffed them and then carted the Frenchmen off to an unknown destination.
Speculation is rife that the kidnapped duo were journalists, but other sources say that the seized Frenchmen were military experts who had come to Mogadishu to assess the needs of the government in so far as military support and assistance was concerned.
Rumor also has it that the people who kidnapped the Frenchmen are either related, or are sympathizers of the Somali´s who are currently standing trial in France on accusations of sea piracy.
On the Somalia crisis, one thing is crystal clear: the security situation is at stake, and needs urgent and serious addressing and attention so as to salvage the Transitional Federal institutions particularly the parliament, which should be relocated to a peaceful constituency like Puntland.
And besides, quick attention should also be fixed on the issue of the alterations of the rules of engagement of the AU forces in Somalia from peace-keeping into peace-making.
Incidentally, Somali parliamentarians are in the process of deliberating on the relocation of the parliament to a favorable and peaceful region.
Suffice it to say that the only way to salvage Somalia and pull it out of its nagging quagmire, is by moving its legislators to a trouble-free area where they can discharge their professional undertakings peacefully, without being enveloped by a blanket of fear.
END
THE Transitional Federal Government that has been besieged in an area not more than 1˝ kilometer square, and has a problem in obtaining reinforcements from the other regions and districts, can only be rescued by the African Union (AU) forces led by the Ugandans who are presently guarding the Somali State House, the airport and the seaport of Mogadishu.
On July 11, 2009, the opposition group came too close to State House whereupon the Ugandan commander of the Ugandan forces in Mogadishu sought out State House and the Transitional government forces.
The AU forces managed to ward off the Al-Shabaab-led forces nearly to the outskirts of Mogadishu, but no sooner had the Ugandan forces resumed their position at the Barracks, than the Transitional Government returned to its previous location, hence the unfolding drama that resulted in the Al-Shabaab forces re-grouping and following the footsteps of the Transitional Government forces.
Although the Ugandan forces denied their participation in the fighting between the government-led forces and the opposition group, the Ugandan commander stated that they would wage other attacks from Baidoa and Kismayu.
According to reliable sources, the Ugandan Commander is of the opinion that the current Transitional Federal Government headed by H.E. President Shariff has the capability of military might or the political experience and leadership vision.
What transpired from the fight in which the Ugandans took part, clearly illustrates that the Transitional Government cannot withstand the Radical group and their allies, and it (Government) is likely to be squeezed into a precarious position or cul-de-sac, if the previous military forces of Somalia who have the necessary academic qualifications and experience, are not re-recruited to train the current militia that lacks military discipline, loyalty and allegiance to the state.
The International community seems reluctant in addressing the Somali crisis that impacts negatively on the security of the Horn of Africa, as well as the safety of the international trade that flows to and fro the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.
The easy defeat of the Al-Shabaab group and its Alliance by the Ugandan and TFG forces, also spews out some lesson and message: it is a pointer that they (Al-Shabaab) have somehow dwindled in strength and do not command the original mighty force they used to boast of!
That notwithstanding, the Al-Shabaab outfit and its allies appear to still have the strength of defeating the government and taking over Mogadishu-the Somalia capital city, should any chance or loophole on the part of their "perceived enemies" which they can take advantage of come their way.
Were it not for the AU forces represented by Uganda and Burundi to jump to the fray with quick wit, the Al-Shaabab would have realized their objectives. They had moved too near to State House and we could be telling a different story.
Amid the unfolding drama, two Frenchmen were kidnapped from the Al-SAHAFI hotel located at Zone kilometer 4, West of Mogadishu by individuals who were attired in the Transitional Government military uniform.
These individuals broke into their room, hand-cuffed them and then carted the Frenchmen off to an unknown destination.
Speculation is rife that the kidnapped duo were journalists, but other sources say that the seized Frenchmen were military experts who had come to Mogadishu to assess the needs of the government in so far as military support and assistance was concerned.
Rumor also has it that the people who kidnapped the Frenchmen are either related, or are sympathizers of the Somali´s who are currently standing trial in France on accusations of sea piracy.
On the Somalia crisis, one thing is crystal clear: the security situation is at stake, and needs urgent and serious addressing and attention so as to salvage the Transitional Federal institutions particularly the parliament, which should be relocated to a peaceful constituency like Puntland.
And besides, quick attention should also be fixed on the issue of the alterations of the rules of engagement of the AU forces in Somalia from peace-keeping into peace-making.
Incidentally, Somali parliamentarians are in the process of deliberating on the relocation of the parliament to a favorable and peaceful region.
Suffice it to say that the only way to salvage Somalia and pull it out of its nagging quagmire, is by moving its legislators to a trouble-free area where they can discharge their professional undertakings peacefully, without being enveloped by a blanket of fear.
END
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