Somalia: Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated through military operations alone, says EU envoy

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Military operations cannot effectively end the Al-Shabaab menace in Somalia, a top European Union envoy has said, in the middle of sustained aggression against the militants, who have caused havoc across East Africa for a decade.

Since 2008, the Al-Qaida linked group has fought consistently with an aim of toppling the fragile UN-backed Somalia government, even though they've suffered casualties during both ground combats and airstrikes.

At the moment, the group still controls large swathes of rural southern and central Somalia, where it has continued to recruit and train fighters, although intelligence reports indicate that dozens of fighters have since quit due to poor pay or internal squabbles.

But Josep Borrell Fontelles, European Union’s foreign policy chief, insists military aggression against the militants may not completely vanquish the group, thus need for "adoption" of the new strategy.

While observing the danger Al-Shabaab poises to the local community, Josep, who is also the Vice President of the EU Commission, notes the need to empower Somali people by supporting various economic activities, besides officially handing over security protocols to locals.

"Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated through military means alone. All stakeholders in Somalia must step up ownership over security, to ensure a smooth exit strategy for AMISOM while securing its gains. The EU reaffirms its strong relationship with Somalia AUEU," he said in a tweet.

"Welcome the initiative presented in our high-level meeting on Somalia today by African Union to continue reinvigorating the commitment by Somali actors, international partners, and AU in support of effective security in Somalia," he noted.

Al-Shabaab has continued to wreak havoc in strategic regions despite their frequent setbacks. For instance, the group recently threw mortar shells at Halane Base Camp, which hosts both AU forces and several diplomatic offices, killing four locals.

But in March, Al-Shabaab lost control of Janaale town in Lower Shebelle, losing at least 140 fighters, in an operation where over 28 were injured while 18 captured by the US-trained Danaab forces, police said in a report.

Since January, over 60 militants have also been killed by sustained US airstrikes in central and southern parts of Somalia, although AFRICOM conceded last week of killing two civilians. Within the same period, the command has fired 39 times, officials said.

Collectively, there are 22,000 African Union forces in Somalia, mainly picked from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Also, statistics indicate that the US has close to 500 troops in Somalia.

Josep's concern has previously been reinforced by the US Africa Command under Gen. Stephen Townsend, who is in charge of the team's operations in Africa. Stability in Somalia, he notes, "will not be achieved through purely military means".

"U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States," the command said in a previous statement.

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with SNA, the Command added.

"Together with the partner and allied forces we work with on a daily basis, we are collectively trying to create security conditions to enhance governance and economic development," Townsend said.

AMISOM has a tentatively scheduled exit of its troops by 2021 after Somalia's much-anticipated polls. The mission, under the leadership of Lt. General Tigabu Yilma, is currently enhancing capacity training for Somali National Army [SNA] ahead of its exit.

GAROWE ONLINE