Behind the Reign of Terror in Somalia: A Snapshot of al-Shabaab leader Ahmad Abdi Godane

Behind the Reign of Terror in Somalia: A Snapshot of al-Shabaab leader Ahmad Abdi Godane

The failed state of Somalia is home to numerous clan-based and Islamist insurgent groups. However, none of these groups compare to Harakat al-Shabaab al-mujahideen—widely known as al-Shabaab—in size, sophistication or operational capability. Despite numerous attempts to eradicate the group, al-Shabaab continues to control large swaths of territory in both central and south Somalia. Although the Federal Republic of Somalia and its predecessor, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), have made progress in reducing the capability of the group, receiving assistance from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and neighboring states, al-Shabaab continues to remain a significant regional threat.

Ahmad Abdi Godane “Abu Zubayr” is behind the helm of al-Shabaab. Godane is a member of the Isaaq tribe, one of the dominant Somali clans which he is believed to still show favoritism toward. Godane was born on July, 10, 1977 in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa. Later in life, Godane went on to study the Quran on a scholarship funded by wealthy Saudis at a madrassa, in Pakistan. Godane regularly traveled to Afghanistan during school breaks (Suna Times, October 1, 2010; Hiiran Online, April 18, 2010). During his time in Afghanistan Godane is believed to have received training from al-Qaeda, developing close ties within the organization and was indoctrinated into the group’s radical ideology, perhaps explaining his reason for merging al-Shabaab with al-Qaeda. In addition, Godane’s participation in the Afghan jihad gave him practical experience which has aided him in keeping his insurgency alive and well within Somalia.

Upon his return to Somalia in late 2001, Godane preached at the Abu-Bashir mosque, and worked at al-Barakaat, a company involved in hawala the informal money transfer system, which was placed on the UN terror list following 9/11, until February of this year, based on suspicions that the organization was aiding in the funding of terrorism (RBC Radio, June 7). Al-Barakaat and Godane are still included on U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

In 2006, following the establishment of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), Godane served as Secretary General of the Executive Council of the ICU (Hiiraan Online, April 18, 2010). During this time Sharif Shaykh Ahmed—who later went on to serve as the President of Somalia’s TFG—was serving in the top leadership of the ICU. During the war with Ethiopia, which began in late 2006, Godane was wounded and subsequently returned to Somalia in February 2007 (Hiiraan Online, April 18, 2010).

Following the defeat of the ICU by the TFG and Ethiopian troops at the Battle of Jowhar, the ICU’s top leadership, Hassan Dahir Aweys, Sharif Shaykh Ahmed and Abdirahman Janaqow, accepted defeat, resigning from the ICU.

Many of the group’s more moderate members fled into exile in Eritrea and Djibouti after the surrender of the ICU. However, the hardline members, including Godane, vowed to continue fighting the TFG. Godane and Aden Hashi Farah Ayro went on to form al-Shabaab and Hassan Dahir Aweys formed Hizb al-Islam. These groups sought refuge in both south and western Somalia and continued to wage a campaign against the TFG, in many cases achieving victories and securing territories within these areas. However, despite the similar ideological focus of these two organizations, they clashed from October 2009 to December 2010, with al-Shabaab—under the leadership of Godane—emerging victorious. During this time, Godane was wounded in an explosion (Somaliland Times, May 23, 2009; see Terrorism Monitor Brief, June 4, 2009). While it has not been confirmed, it is believed that Ibrahim Haji Jama was killed in a U.S. drone strike in December 2011. Possible confirmation of this may be the fact that Godane has served as leader of al-Shabaab since this time, and Ibrahim Haji Jama has not been seen since.

As the leader of al-Shabaab, Godane has shown his hardline stripes and has coordinated numerous attacks against various targets in Somalia. In addition, his decision to merge al-Shabaab with al-Qaeda—a group with a transnational agenda—shows that the group presents a clear threat to the West. A large number of al-Shabaab members live abroad and since al-Qaeda endorses attacks against the West, al-Shabaab members abroad may be used to conduct attacks against Western targets to help further al-Qaeda’s transnational agenda.

Godane has been described as reclusive, preferring to issue radio broadcasts rather than appear in interviews, but he has still managed to reach the masses with his messages. [1] Godane issued a speech on September 20, 2009, Labayka Ya Usama (Here I am at Your Service, Osama), in which he pledged loyalty to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. In an official statement that was subsequently issued in February 2012, Ayman al-Zawahiri and Godane announced that al-Shabaab had officially joined al-Qaeda. [2] Godane’s pledge of loyalty to al-Qaeda is troublesome not only because al-Qaeda has a transnational agenda, but also because we may see additional al-Shabaab participation in transnational terrorism. With a large Somali diaspora abroad, al-Shabaab may act as a variable extension of al-Qaeda, utilizing foreign sympathizers to conduct attacks against Western targets at behest of the organization. Also, with training and assistance from al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab will become capable of conducting increasingly deadly attacks both at home and abroad.

Godane released a pre-recorded message in June 2012 in which he vowed to continue fighting the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM until an Islamic caliphate is established throughout the Horn of Africa (Mareeg, June 18). Despite recent desertions and military setbacks—attributed to infighting within the organization, which in turn led to a hand of crushing defeats in battles with government forces—Godane still remains in charge of the organization. [3] While the future of al-Shabaab remains unclear, Godane has maintained relative control over the organization, which continues to wage violent jihad within Somalia.

The United States has taken various steps to help eliminate Godane, including placing a $7 million bounty on his head, and listing him as a Specially Designated National (RBC Radio, June 7). [4] In addition, the UN has placed sanctions on him as well under paragraph 8 of UNSC 1844. [5] Despite these measures, Godane remains at large and continues waging violent jihad in Somalia. Although Godane’s short-term goal is the establishment of an Islamic caliphate across the Horn of Africa, his ambitions remain global.

Notes

1. “Somalia: Understanding the Al-Shabaab/Al-Qaeda ‘Merger’,” allafrica.com, March 19, 2012. Available at: https://allafrica.com/stories/201203191528.html?viewall=1.

2. See at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-myOT8CL84.

3. “Al-Shabaab leader vows for Islamic government,” Mareeg, June 18, 2012. Available: https://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=24672&tirsan=3; “Al Shabaab suffer significant setback as over 200 militants disengage near Jowhar,” September 22, 2012. Available at: https://amisom-au.org/2012/09/al-shabaab-suffer-significant-setback-as-over-200-militants-disengage-near-jowhar/.

4. “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, November 20, 2012. Available at: https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx.

5. “S/RES/1844 List of Individuals and Entities Subject to the Measures Imposed by Paragraphs 1, 3 and 7 of Security Council Resolution 1844 (2008)),” United Nations Security Council, November 20, 2008. Available: www.un.org/sc/committees/751/pdf/1844_cons_list.pdf.