Al-Shabaab’s leader calls on Somali public to resist the Ethiopian occupation in a new audio speech

Mogadishu (Harar24) – In a 12-minute long audio speech broadcasted by Al-Shabaab’s radio station Al-Andalus,Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Zubair Al-Shabaab’s leader delivered a message to the Somali public and to fighters belonging to the group.

Abu Zubair began his speech by reminding the Somali public of their constant struggle with the “crusaders who used Ethiopia as a proxy for carrying out their agendas against Muslims in East Africa”. Citing centuries old incidents such as how the Portuguese aided the Ethiopians in their war against the national Somali hero, Ahmed Gurey, to mentioning the recent Ethiopian “occupation of Somalia backed by America under the guise of peacekeeping” Abu Zubair sought to remind the people of the bitter history with Ethiopia.

In his speech, the Al-Shabaab leader spoke regarding the AU proposed system of autonomy states for Somalia, which he declared as “the plot to divide the country in to several parts that will go under Ethiopia & Kenya, by which they will rule & enslave you”. He further added that this “plot was to return you, the Somali people, to the days of tribal wars after living in cohesion under the Shari’ah for more than four years.”

“Fighting this plan and resisting the enemy is your only salvation lies. Fight them in groups, in clans, tribes and as a whole” the Al-Shabaab leader urged the Somali people as he called them to wage an armed “jihad” against the “occupying enemy”.

While addressing his soldiers and urging them to carry on the fight, he said: “Don’t let a Tigre soldier, who came from 1000’s of kilometers away outlast you in patience as they will be the ones to leave”.

Enclosing his message, Abu Zubair who is known for often reciting poetry and even composing his own when talking about war and fighting, addressed his fighters by a long poem in eloquent Somali whereby he outlined the way of fighting guerrilla warfare. It is believed that this poem is an indication of Al-Shabaab’s coming strategy against the AMISOM and government troops.

Abu Zubair, who’s the leader of the Al-Qaeda linked group Al-Shabaab often releases audio speeches when important issues arise, many believe that we could be seeing a shift of strategy in Al-Shabaab’s warfare carried out against AMISOM soldiers and the government.