Kenya now wants Al-Shabaab militant group to be listed as a terrorist outfit in a bid to rally behind the war against the Somali-based fighters.
For over a decade, the group, which swore allegiance to Al-Qaeda, another terrorist group, has been causing havoc in East Africa, with Kenya being the major target.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kamau Macharia on Tuesday said Nairobi has asked UN to immediately list the group as a terrorist faction to help combat it.
“We will formally be submitting a request, seeking UAE’s support in listing al-Shabaab under UN Resolution 1267. This is important to bring the global efforts in tackling the group,” he said in Nairobi, after meeting a delegation of United Arab Emirates officials where they signed a series of bilateral agreements and agreed to finalise a security agreement soon."
“It has caused serious havoc, not just on Kenya but the region and the world in general. It is important that all global efforts now come together to combat this,” added Kamau.
Under Resolution 1267 of 1999, or subsequent and related decisions, the UN Security Council targeted terror or militant groups like the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS and their leaders such as Osama bin Laden, sanctioning the groups and those associated with them
The proposal to the United Nations comes barely five days after the militants reportedly held a crisis meeting in Somalia, with infighting threatening to tear it apart.
"Al-Shabaab leaders reportedly had a rare meeting on Friday in the vicinity of Bulo Falay in Bay region. Leader Abu Ubaidah, Mahad Karate, Ibrahim Ali Aden, Ja’far Dhere and other officials attended the meeting which was discussed on security and reforming Wilayat, per sources," VOA journalist Harun Maruf said.
Since 2011, Kenya Defense Forces have pitched tent in Somalia, launching a battle with the group. In 2012, KDF managed to take over Kismayu, a notorious hideout for the militants.
Months later, KDF soldiers joined African Union-sponsored AMISOM, and have since been trying to bring peace and order in the war-torn nation. It's not clear when Kenya is intending to pull out.