Kenya Pays Stiff Price for Intervening

Kenya’s intervention in the Somali civil war is the reason given for al-Shabab’s terrorist attack on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall that left dozens dead. The terrorist group, described as weakened in recent years by such intervention, controls much of southern and central Somalia, across the border to Kenya’s east. Kenyan troops had aided Ahmed Adobe, a Shabab rival in driving the group out of Somalia’s Juba region, hoping to secure Kenya’s northern beaches. The mall attack has strengthened Kenya’s resolve. While the attack inevitably prompted travel advisories, the Kenyan president specifically appealed to foreign governments not to issue such advisories. He also reaffirmed Kenya’s decision to fight al-Shabab, saying the whole world must stand up against terrorism. Kenya faces a lengthy challenge in in stabilizing Somalia, with rampant power struggles raging between warlords like Madobe and the central government. The African Union and the United States supported the intervention, and any shopping mall or civilian gathering place could be a target. – YaleGlobal