After Al-Shabab leader killed in US drone strikes revenge attacks are launched

A US drone strike recently killed Al-Shabab leader Ahmed Godane. The group has threatened revenge strikes in retaliation. The group lost no time in naming a new leader Ahmad Umar to replace Godane.

Somali authorities have placed the country on high alert in preparation for possible attacks by Al-Shabab. Little is known about the new leader. An Al-Shabab commander said the decision to name him as leader was unanimous. The announcement of the new leader happened only a few minutes after the group confirmed that Godane had been killed. Al-Shabab issued a warning statement: "Avenging the death of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes.By the permission of Allah, you will surely taste the bitter consequences of your actions."
 The Somali National Security Minister Kalif Ereg claimed: "Security agencies have obtained information indicating that al-Shabab is now planning to carry out desperate attacks against medical facilities, education centres and other government facilities.The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts."
 Godane was made leader of Al_Shabab after a US drone strike had killed his predecessor in 2008. The president of Somalia Sheikh Mohamud announced a 45-day amnesty for any militants who renounced membership in Al-Shabab. The US had placed a bounty of $7 million dollars on Godane.
The US has supported the African Union force that has managed to drive Al-Shabab out of the capital Mogadishu and a number of other towns since an offensive in 2011. However, Al-Shabab itself mounts frequent attacks on government facilities in Mogadishu and even in neighboring countries that have provided troops to attack them in Somalia. The most sensational attack was on the Westgate mall in Nairobi Kenya on September 21, 2013. The attack resulted in 67 killed including the 4 gunmen and more than 175 wounded. Godane had claimed Al-Shabab's responsibility for that attack.
The US drone strike is part of Operation Indian Ocean that began last July. Somali and African Union troops with support from drone strikes launched an offensive aimed at retaking towns and villages now under control of Al Shabab. Ten other militants were claimed to have been killed in the drone strike, including an operations leader, a financial official, and a military strategist according to a US security official.
  Revenge attacks have already started with attacks on two convoys killing at least 12. There are reports that Americans were part of the convoy. A recent video report is appended.

African journalists call for repeal of Official Secret Acts

Journalists call for repeal of Secrets Act
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This is from a Kenyan newspaper The Standard. The author is wrong in thinking that Arar is a journalist but maybe he should be!

By Kepher Otieno in Toronto

African Governments have been asked to repeal Official Secrets Acts to enhance free flow of information.The Governments are being accused of using such draconian laws to gag the media. The Act was cited for denying the media access to information. African Journalists attending a global investigative journalism conference in Toronto, Canada, demanded immediate repeal of the Acts.

Veteran journalist, Mr Maher Arar, who was detained by US officials over terrorism allegations, imprisoned and tortured by Syrian Government on accusations of having links with Al-Qaeda, said it was only through courage that journalists could uncover societal ills.

He said governments, politicians and bureaucrats doctored information released to the public because draconian media laws shielded them.

The journalists decried a system of governance in Africa that has given room to poor governance and corruption, thus stifling economic growth.

"African leaders should be open to the media to enhance democracy and gain public confidence," said Arar.

Insensitive media laws

The President of Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), Mr Paul Scheneidereit, and Executive Director, Mr John Dickins, concurred that such insensitive media laws were a stumbling block to freedoms in Africa.

Held for the first time in North America, the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) encouraged journalists to trade skills and strategies and expand networks.

The conference also provided the journalists with an opportunity to reflect deeply on issues such as terrorism, corruption and corporate crime.

In Kenya, the public has no right to information held by Government and even basic information is only released after authorisation by key public officials, whose hands are almost always tied by the draconian Officials Secrets Act.

For instance, the proposed Kenya Information and Communication Bill of 2005, which has sparked heated debate has sections intended to stifle press freedom.

Such moves have been rejected by media owners, journalists, press freedom activists and politicians, who are fronting for complete self-regulation.

In 2005, the Cabinet had agreed that the print media could regulate themselves. However, it was agreed that the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) should regulate electronic media.



— Additional reporting by James Ratemo