This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
Kenya is determined to have Al-Shabaab declared a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council, a move that would allow for global resource mobilization to counter and arrest the spread of terrorism in East Africa.
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti made the announcement at the 88th session of the Interpol’s General Assembly in Santiago, Chile, where law enforcement officers from around the world gathered to address national and regional efforts in combating terrorism and organized crime.
Kenya had tabled a proposal to the United Nations to have the Somalia-based outfit listed as a terrorist group, saying that the move would attach more focus in combating the extremists.
Al-Shabaab, which pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in 2010, has not been designated as a terror group by the UN, despite efforts by the African Union and the UN in combating Al-Qaeda and ISIS or their affiliates.
Al-Shabaab has been blamed for a number of terror attacks in the country, leaving tens dead and injured.
Kenya’s push for Al-Shabaab’s terrorist designation comes after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi asked the US to declare Somalia’s Al-Shabaab a terror group two weeks ago.
Muturi argued that if the group is considered a crusader of human rights in Somalia, it continues to receive money from civil groups that are funded by taxpayers.
US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter, however, denied allegations made by Muturi, saying the US government has never failed to declare and categorize the Somalia militants as a terror grouping.
McCarter said the US supported the United Nations resolution No. 751, which declared al Shabaab a terrorist group, and would use everything within that resolution to degrade the terrorists.
