and other Sunni terrorist groups in an effort to present a united
front. Active terrorist cells from different locations are beginning to show cooperation with each other. Transnational terrorist’s networks are encouraged and strengthened with a common
ideology, and a mutual support and funding network.10 These
activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria, AQIM in Mali and Algeria
and IS in Libya should be considered serious and pose immediate threats to Africa and international community.
Peace Support Operation in Africa: Trending towards
Anti-Terrorism
AMISOM
AMISOM was established in 2007 as a successor to Inter-governmental Authority on Development Mission in Somalia
(IGASOM), and is tasked to support the Transitional Federal
Institution’s (TFI) efforts towards stabilization of the country,
the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the creation of
conditions for long-term stabilization, reconstruction, and
development in Somalia. Since 2009, the AMISOM efforts to
target insurgents was shifted to Islamic elements, particularly
Al-Shabaab, rather than its original focus on feuding armed
clans and militias. The stabilization operation of the AMISOM
mission has transformed into a campaign to eliminate AlShabaab. The UN Security Council resolution stated terrorists,
in particular Al-Shabaab, constituted a threat to Somalia and
the international community.11 Since then, AMISOM’s operation focuses has prominently featured counter-terrorism over
stability operation.
Regional powers such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda contributed troops to AMISOM,12 which has achieved a certain
degree of success in eliminating Al-Shabaab. However, AlShabaab is dispersed and hiding in the surrounding area of
Mogadishu. AMISOM is attempting to encircle the operational
area of Al-Shabaab, cutting off their supply line and isolating
their cells,13 which has slowly weakened Al-Shabaab’s strength
and lessened their activities. However, AMISOM seems to be
facing difficulties in accomplishing their counter-terrorism
campaign, since the area AMISOM is trying to surround is vast.
Another challenge to the AMISOM mission is the identification of dedicated terrorists from civilians because some young
men join Al-Shabaab simply to obtain meals for a day. This
dynamic is described as, “a battle uniform yesterday and civilian
clothes today”.14 Al-Shabaab’s operational network is based
mainly in southern Somalia, where AMISOM has limited intelligence collection capabilities, which is needed to accomplish
AMISOM’s counter-terrorism operations.
Success requires technical support from capable nations like
the U.S. and regional organizations such as NATO. A possible
course of action would be to continue the containment strategy
of Al-Shabaab further weakening their operational capabilities
by depriving them of funds and supplies.
Members of the UN Security Council are welcomed by Lydia
Wanyoto-Mutende (centre left), Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
and Acting Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM); and AMISOM Force Commander Lieutenant
General Silas Ntinguriwa (right), on their arrival in Mogadishu. The Security Council visit is led by Mark Lyall Grant
(centre), Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom
to the UN and Council President for the month of August;
and Usman Sarki (centre right), Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN.
13 August 2014
Mogadishu, Somalia
UN Photo # 597353
AFISMA
AQIM, AD and other Islamic insurgents groups seized northern Mali in 2011. The Interim Government of Mali was not
able to completely eliminate the rebel forces with their own
resources, and requested French military intervention. The UN
Security Council adopted a resolution to establish AFISMA in
December 2012.15 French troops launched military operations
in Mali in January 2013. AFISMA was originally scheduled
to deploy in September 2013, but their timeline was advanced
following an unexpected offensive by rebel forces in early
January 2013, which prompted French intervention operations, resulting in the Economic Community of West African
States’ (ECOWAS) decision to immediately deploy AFISMA.16
Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Senegal were the primary
forces providers out of the 22 countries which deployed military
17