Somalia: Al-Shabab Threatens More Attacks on Uganda

By Eric Sande

The dreaded al-Shabaab militia group has once again sent signals of terror attacks if Uganda failed to pull out of Somalia’s Soil. The militia exacted responsibility of the July bombing in Kampala.

In his warning at a mosque in front of hundreds of supporters in the Suqaholaha neighbourhood, Sheikh Fuad Mohamed Khalaf 'Shangole', anal-Shabaab leader said President Yoweri Museveni is an obstacle and is denying stability in their country. This  happens even as  Uganda upheld its  deployment of  tens of thousands  of  troops as part of an African Union mission (AMISOM).

"So we warn him in the strongest possible terms against his plans to send more troops to Somalia and we tell the Ugandan people... if they send fresh troops to our country, they will pay the price at home like they did recently”,  said Shangole. "We send a clear warning to Yoweri Museveni and we tell him: 'Don't send your troops to our country and withdraw those you have already deployed, or else many of your citizens will be crying in Kampala," he added.

In an audio message broadcast on several Mogadishu radio stations addressed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, another al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as Abu Zubayr, endangered further unmarked attacks on Ugandan soil.

“The attacks will continue to avenge the deaths of Somalis killed by fire and artillery from AU peacekeepers in the Somali capital”, Godane said.

Museveni replied to the July 11 attacks saying his country is willing to provide the bulk, if not all, of the reinforcements; and he has also urged African Union members to send as many as 20,000 troops to Somalia as soon as possible.  Security analysts say al-Shabab is hoping that by targeting residents in Kampala, the Ugandan leader will be pressured to withdraw his offer and all Ugandan troops from Somalia.

For three years, al-Shabab has led Islamist insurgents in battles, mostly against AMISOM,  aimed for control of the few remaining city blocks under government control.  More than 50 peacekeepers have died and hundreds of civilians have been killed in the crossfire. International human-rights groups have condemned all warring sides for causing civilian casualties.

AMISOM currently amounts to 6,000 Ugandan and Burundian soldiers, some 2,000 troops short of its intended full strength. Al-Shabab has also issued fresh threats against Burundi, warning the group is prepared to target the capital, Bujumbura.