Somalia's al-Shabab join Al-Qaeda

The leader of the Islamist militant group that controls much of Somalia released a video in which he pledges obedience to al-Qaeda. The al-Shabab is facing pressure from African Union troops, as well as Ethiopian and Kenyan forces, who are trying to push the islamists out of control. They have succeeded in taking back the capital of Mogadishu, but the al-Shabab still controls much of the southern and central areas of the failed country. The al-Shabab have recently begun losing support because of the poorly handled drought, which although over, has left a third of the population in need of immediate feeding. Analysts say that al-Qaeda is trying to gain back power and influence lost after bin Laden was killed. The UK government is holding a conference later this month to try to find solutions for Somalia's problems including piracy and extremism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16979440

Jill Laumbacher