Friday September 12, 2014
The death of al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane has injected new hope in Somalia, with civil society groups and citizens urging the government and its allies to build upon this momentum to completely dismantle the militant group. Godane, also known as Abu Mukhtar al-Zubayr, was killed on September 1st along with two other al-Shabaab leaders in a US airstrike in Lower Shabelle.
In support of ongoing efforts, the Centre for Community Dialogue (CCD), a Mogadishu-based organisation that promotes dialogue and reconciliation across Somalia, is organising a series of victory rallies and launching a new campaign aimed at raising awareness against extremism.
"The CCD organisation wholeheartedly welcomes the killing of Ahmed Godane, we see it as an [obstacle] removed from the people of Somalia that can greatly impact peace in Somalia's future," CCD Director Ismail Ahmed Ismail said.
The CCD has already held two victory rallies on September 7th and10th, respectively in Mogadishu and Bulo Burde, in support of the airstrike, he said.
"We held the rallies to support Ahmed Godane's killing and to educate the public about the dangers associated with extremist ideology," he told Sabahi. "We intend to extent this campaign against extremism to the entire country."
Restoring hope
Residents of Bulo Marer, a town recently liberated from al-Shabaab located about 30 kilometres from the location of the airstrike, told Sabahi that residents in towns recently vacated by al-Shabaab can be instrumental in providing intelligence that can lead to other successful operations.
"I strongly welcome the airstrikes [in Lower Shabelle] and our liberation from the devils of al-Shabaab," said Mohamed Farah, a 58-year-old Bulo Marer traditional elder.
"Al-Shabaab forcefully took many children away from parents and later let them die in battles they forced them to participate in," Farah said, calling on residents of Bula Marer and other liberated towns to seek justice by forwarding information about the group's activities to authorities so that fighters are captured and prosecuted for their crimes.
For Fadumo Mudey, a 45-year-old mother of eight from the town of Goolweyn, the killing of Godane restored hope that al-Shabaab can be defeated.
"Tears spill from my eyes when I remember the suffering al-Shabaab caused us as they forcefully conscripted our children, married our girls by force, and killed or punished our men whom they saw as having views that opposed theirs," she said.
"I think the only way al-Shabaab can be defeated is for the countries assisting Somalia in the fight against terrorists to strengthen the airstrikes," she told Sabahi. "This is a step that will eliminate our fear that al-Shabaab, which used to boastfully tell the region's residents that their power will never end, can return."
Strengthening security, withstanding al-Shabaab intimidations
Mogadishu resident Muna Jibril, 27, said the government and citizens alike should continue working for peace and not be intimidated by al-Shabaab's desire to avenge Godane's death.
"They do not have any other power but to console the youth they have misled into war," Jibril said, adding the threats are aimed at raising morale within the group.
"The killing of Godane is a victory for all of Somalia since he was the biggest terrorist in Somalia and [his organisation] even spread to our neighbouring countries," she said. "Furthermore, [his death] can strongly affect al-Shabaab with regard to its relationship with al-Qaeda, which seemed to have a lot of confidence in Ahmed Godane," she said.
Hirsi Jama, a 54-year-old traditional elder from Mogadishu, also described the killing of al-Shabaab's leader as a success for Somalis, but warned the government and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops to take appropriate security measures to foil reprisal attacks by the group.
"I welcome the killing of Ahmed Godane, but I am afraid that al-Shabaab will cause high civilian casualties [in retaliation]. An attack that targeted AMISOM troops in Afgoye after his killing resulted in the deaths of [at least] 12 civilians. AMISOM and government troops have to collaborate and put in place robust preventative measures so that such terrorism acts do not occur," he said.
Godane's death gives the Somali government an opportunity like never before to dismantle the group, however success will depend on what actions the government takes next, Jama said.
For his part, Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa executive committee deputy chairman Sheikh Ahmed Abdullahi Ilkaase said Godane's death will be key in the fight against al-Shabaab only if sustained pressure is placed on the group and its supporters.
"The destruction of their centres and officials can bring about a huge advantage and it is great progress. However, unless their military might and influence is destroyed a new leader who believes in the same extremist ideology can spring up [to replace] the leader that is killed. All terrorist [networks] must be eliminated, otherwise [al-Shabaab] will continue to receive money by the people who finance them," he said.