Rolling Back Threats of Terrorism in the Horn of Africa

BY A STAFF WRITER

 Horn of African, due to its strategic importance, has become an epicenter of competition for the global geopolitical actors. Following the growing interest of the superpowers in the Horn, many argue it may lead to greater development in the region or result in further instability.

The Horn region has evidently been a safe haven for terrorists unless member states in the region, individually or collectively, are determined to halt any conflicts or attempts of destabilization from further aggravation. The prevalence of lawlessness and destabilization in Somalia some decades in the past created safe haven for terrorist groups, which posed danger on neighboring countries, including Ethiopia. Several terrorist attacks were carried out in the region. 

For instance, terrorist group known as Al-Shabaab, whose base is Somalia, carried out terrorist attacks in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and other countries in the region.

It is public knowledge that last year Al-Shabab fighters tried to make the first huge cross border terrorist encroachment in Ethiopia through the borders of Somali region in the eastern part of the country. Nevertheless, the attack of the terrorist group was fully repulsed by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), causing huge and humiliating defeat to the terrorist group.

Terrorist forces in the Horn of Africa operate on national and regional context. For instance Al-Shabab and Al Qaida formed an alliance to operate not only in Somalia but also in the entire sub-region. Bombing of the US Embassy in Kenya and Tanzania conducted by Al- Shabab and on a mall in Nairobi vividly show that the fight against terrorism calls for regional and international collaboration.

Africa Al-Shabab in particular used sea piracy, arms trafficking and contraband to finance and advance various missions of terrorism. Wherever the terrorist groups operate in the Horn of Africa, they were busy recruiting IDPs and refugees from other countries to beef up their forces.

Terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa Al-Shabab in particular used sea piracy, arms trafficking and contraband to finance their various missions of terrorism. Wherever the terrorist groups operate in the Horn of Africa, they were busy recruiting IDPs and refugees from other countries to beef up their forces.

Evidently, terrorist forces conduct criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, corruption and others, with the intention of generating large amounts of profits for their individual leaders and the groups through money laundering. They also use  relief supplies in drought affected Somalia as a tool for recruiting new blood of fighters.

Terrorism in the region therefore is not limited to political activities but also conducts illicit trade, seriously affecting the economic activities of countries in the region and their quest for peaceful development. 

Nowadays, cyber terrorism, which is mostly characterized by a politically motivated attack has been posing a great danger and fear on the general public in the region.

For instance, over the last three or four years,  Ethiopia was a major target of fake information. Thousands of cyber-attacks which targeted various infrastructures of the country were successfully foiled by Information Network Security Agency (INSA).

In view of  multifaceted threats of terrorism, regional and international cooperation is very necessary to roll back the threats of terrorism in the region. Any political instability and conflicts wherever they occur in the region, should be resolved with ingenious wisdom and peaceful means. Countries in the region must draw lesson from what happened in Somalia: the fact that it hatched terrorist operatives because it was abandoned for protracted destabilization and conflicts.   

So,  bringing together regional and international concerned bodies to durable peace and stability is critical. The cooperation should be firm with sustained international support and all means possible. 

In this regard, the ongoing conflict between the warring parties in Sudan certainly deserves urgent attention and peaceful resolution of the conflict as the chaotic war situation in the country could create a safe haven for the proliferation and expansion of international terrorism in Sudan as well as the entire Horn of  Africa. Even this conflict might  have the potential for being used as a stepping stone to expand into the rest of Africa.  That is why Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has consistently urged Sudanese parties to resolve their problem on round table discussion to  avoid any level of intervention into the internal affairs of the country. 

Ethiopia can be now considered the best example in Africa on how to resolve devastating conflicts in a manner that is of crucial importance for the country as well as the peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. The effective implementation of the African Union (AU)-led Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed between the Federal Government and the TPLF is the best example.  

Therefore, the international community, African Union (AU), and neighboring states have played essential roles in bringing stability particularly, to fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, as one of the important East African nations in promoting peace, has played a major role in the multi-faceted fight against Al-Shabaab in the region.