African Union will now Support Kenyan War with Al-Shabaab

African Union, Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Uncategorized  |  11.17.11   By Motaroki

The Kenya Defense Forces now have Pan African backing for their war against the self professed Terrorist organization, Al-Shabaab.  The African Union will more than double their forces in the country and expand their peace keeping role to include combat.  Uganda has also unilaterally committed troops to fight alongside the Kenyans.  

This is great news for Kenyan taxpayers who bear the brunt of the costs associated with this war.  The addition of a multinational force also takes the onus off Kenya and sends a signal to Nations that would assist Al-Shabaab to think twice about it.  Eritrea was recently accused of supplying weapons to Al-Shabaab.  The government has denied that charge.

Other nations like Israel and the United States have also pledged their help.  Both countries have more experience in the global war on terrorism (GWOT) than any other nation.  This form of technical assistance will help Kenya in particular bolster its national security capabilities as Al-Shabaab and other terrorist organizations loyal to Al-Queda are more likely to plan attacks.  Kenya and Tanzania already had their versions of 9/11 during the 1998 US Embassy Bombings.  Kenya is still considered a soft target, with major security lapses and poorly trained security agents.

The US along with the Israeli Government are not all unselfish with their assistance.  They understand that the potential for Somalia to become the next Afghanistan, is very high.  Therefore, they are being proactive in securing the horn of African from becoming a safe haven and training ground for terrorists that could attack their countries or citizens overseas.  Yemen already receives significant assistance from US forces due to high levels of terrorist activity.  Its proximity to Somalia is also of grave concern.

It certainly is interesting to see an African country and now countries wage war against a terrorist network using the brunt of their Navy, Air- force, Army and Special Forces.  Kenya deserves a ton of credit for their efforts.  Government officials should use this opportunity to secure much needed military and intelligence training from the best in the world.

Hopefully the addition of these troops will shorten the war and save lives.

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