Kenya should launch Offensive against Shabaab Militia in Middle Jubba

Kenya shares a long and a relatively porous border of approximately 1, 116 km with Somalia, However, the local Jubbaland administration—quite sadly—only controls parts of Kismayo, Dhobley and to some extent, Afmadow, Amid the pressure from other parts of Somalia, al Shabaab is on the run now and Middle Jubba is their safe heaven…

Partial control is meant to say that the weak administration doesn’t control any of the roads leading to and from the cities and major towns. Anyone who has sympathy for the Jubbaland administration—let alone those affiliated with it—can’t even travel by road because al Shabaab is just two to five kilometres away from the three cities the Jubbaland administration partially controls.

Bualle in Middle Jubba is the capital city of Jubbaland administration. It’s fully controlled by al Shabaab: they collect taxes, almes and carry out extortions. The militant commanders, trainers, doctors, explosive experts operate from Middle Jubba, a walking distance from the Somali-Kenya border. Amid the pressure from other parts of Somalia, al Shabaab is on the run now and Middle Jubba is their safe heaven.

The big question then is whether Kenya should watch these dangerous events unfold while just protecting the interest of few and some landmarks. Earlier this week, al Shabaab reportedly intercepted an ambulance in Mandera county with four occupants, including a patient. The four occupants have since been released but the ambulance is still missing. This is a daily reality along the porous border.

Mandera county commissioner told Kulan Post that “elders and good cooperation agreement between Gedo and Mandera county” saved the day. What was the reason for the sacrifice Kenya has been making for the past 11 years in Jubbaland? Was it to protect their Somali neighbours and Kenya’s border from al Shabaab or just to be in Kismayo protecting political interests of a few?

If it is the latter, Kenya has done a great job! If the purpose was to fight Shabaab, that hasn’t materialised because if the group can launch an attack in Kenya in broad daylight and drive a vehicle all the way, then a change of tack is required.

Defending Kismayo port and the airport and few other landmarks is not fighting Shabaab. To protect Kenyans in Kenya and Somalis in Jubbaland, Kenya must be on the attack and must liberate Shabaab’s strong hold— Middle Jubba. One thing for the Kenyan government to keep in mind is that the Middle Jubba is the breading ground and the launching pad of Shabaab and as has been the case for over 10 years now.

There are no schools, hospitals, freedom and definitely no life in Middle Jubba and most of Jubbaland. What ideology will young people who grew up under al Shabaab leadership hold? Remember those with al Shabaab ideology are your neighbours and if you don’t get rid of them, we are at risk. Kenyan troops liberated parts of Jubbaland in 2011 under the operation “Linda Nchi” and Kenyan forces lost a lot of its gallant officers ever since—a huge sacrifice.