Ruto: Region must unite to crush Shabaab terrorists

President William Ruto yesterday said the war against terrorism in the Horn of Africa calls for a collective effort.

He noted that the region must adopt a common strategy for combating terrorism and associated crime.

Ruto said through common endeavour, leaders have the power to rebuild stable societies and secure the people’s well-being.

“We must dismantle terror networks and financial support infrastructure; this must be complemented by countering radicalisation and the propagation of extremism,” he said.

The President was speaking in Mogadishu during the Somalia Frontline States Summit on regional efforts towards stabilisation of Somalia and eradication of terrorism.

He spoke as mortar shells exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, BBC reported. The four shells hit areas near the heavily guarded presidential palace where Ruto and fellow heads of State, including the host Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Djibouti’s Ismail Guelleh and Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, were meeting.

There were, however, no reports of casualties.The leaders were holding the summit following recent military gains made by the Somali government against the Islamist militants.

Momentum

Ruto asked the people of Somalia to rise up and seize back their country from the clutches of the al-Shabaab.

Ruto described the involvement of local communities in countering al-Shabaab terrorists as “extremely brave and remarkable”.

“We congratulate President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on this radical strategic turnaround and the success that is now evident in many parts of Somalia,” the Kenyan leader said.

In order to sustain the resurgent momentum of the achievements made by Somalia, President Ruto said “it is time to firmly commit to improve our overall capacity to intervene effectively”.

“This can be achieved by enhancing the complementary mobilisation of law enforcement, intelligence and financial resources,” he added.

Al-Shabab still control large areas of Somalia and continue to carry out regular attacks. But they have lost territory since the government, backed by the United States and African troops, launched a new offensive last August.

The summit focused on strengthening partnerships in the fight against international terrorism.

Army commanders and defense ministers from the Horn of Africa had earlier held a meeting in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, with the main focus being the ongoing crackdown against the militants who are wreaking havoc in the country and the region. Chief of Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi led the Kenyan team.

The Defense Ministers are from Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and other Troops Contributing nations to Somalia, like Uganda and Burundi, who have been integral in the peace-building process in the region.

Somalia has been fighting violent extremism since 2007 when al-Shabaab struck.

The meeting was a pacesetter for the

Summit for the heads of State and governments of the frontline nations, which are critical in the fight against al-Shabaab.

Several fronts

For the last couple of months, the Somali National Army has been pursuing the militants from several fronts across Somalia, with the help of US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and local militia, who heeded the call.

Officials have said over 500 al-Shabaab militants have died according to statistics given by the government of Somalia, which is also targeting taxation bases of the militants.

The government has so far closed over 200 bank accounts and 70 mobile phone firms responsible for helping the terrorists carry out monetary transactions.

Kenya has close to 3,500 soldiers in

Somalia while Ethiopia has about 4,500 who control Sectors II and VI respectively mainly in Jubaland which borders the two nations.  Al-Shabaab has been targeting the two countries by invading their territories, with the group making attempt to cross over to Ethiopia.

The group has been attacking Forward Operating Bases of the soldiers from the two countries and has previously succeeded.

For Kenya, the group raided EI-Adde and Kulbiyow Forward Operating Bases, killing more than 100 soldiers.