UN: Al-Shabaab losing grip in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Nations has lauded progress made in the fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia, noting the recent operations launched in all fronts by the Somali National Army [SNA] with help of the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops and local militia, who have been instrumental in the war.

For six months, the partnership involving the teams has managed to bring about liberation of key strategic towns in Somalia, also leaving several Al-Shabaab commanders dead. In total, the government of Somalia recently said over 600 militants have been killed since July 2022, when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took over.

Kiki Gbeho, the Deputy Representative of the United Nations, told the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] on Wednesday that the country has made milestones in the fight against Al-Shabaab in all fronts. She lauded strategies used on military, financial operations and ideological tactics.

Recently, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's administration blocked over 250 local bank accounts associated with Al-Shabaab transactions besides closing down 70 mobile money transfer firms which have allegedly been wiring money to the militants. This is the first time Somalia is targeting Al-Shabaab financial flow.

Already, business owners who have been remitting illegal taxes to Al-Shabaab have also been put on notice with those found culpable risking cancellation of their business licenses according to the government. A report published by the UN showed Al-Shabaab fortunes had increased to $150 million annually up from $100.

On ideological front, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been involving clerics to counter violent extremism, a move which the UN termed as "positive approach". Kiki Gbeho further noted the military operations have largely been successes, adding that Al-Shabaab has lost significant territories.

She lamented that 2022 was one of the deadliest years for civilians in Somalia, noting that the attacks by the militants were the worst since 2017. Generally, there were about 600 civilian casualties in Somalia last year with over 900 people also injured in various attacks across the country according to records.

Al-Shabaab group has been carrying out retaliatory attacks across the country mainly targeting innocent civilians and members of security forces. At times, the militants have also been targeting senior government officials in their cowardly attacks which are spilling in other countries.

Early this month, Presidents William Ruto [Kenya], Ismail Omar Guelleh [Djibouti] and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended a conference of Frontline states in Somalia where a unilateral decision on helping Somalia was reached. There are close to 22,000 mission forces in Somalia.

The UN also took note of the drought which has ravaged citizens of Somalia, with most of them crossing over to Kenya where they are housed in Dadaab refugee camp. Thousands of people have been struggling to afford food due to raging drought, the UN said.

"With 5 consecutive poor rainy seasons, current drought is unprecedented in its severity; needs continue to rise, with about 8.3 million people…famine prevented for now but remains a threat if the April to June rains underperform as forecast and assistance is not sustained," Gbeho noted.

Somalia is yet to receive rains for the last three years and the hunger within the country has claimed lives of dozens of people. The Al-Shabaab, Somalia recently said, has been using the catastrophe to threaten locals against supporting government initiatives for the last three years.

GAROWE ONLINE