The US military chief has promised to take more action against Al-Shabaab

The new commander of the American military wing accused of establishing defense relations with Africa has promised to take tougher action against al-Shabaab, following the recent deadly attacks by terrorist groups.

During his inaugural tour in Somalia, General Stephen J Townsend, who took over the mantle of the US-African Command last week, said the threat posed by al-Shabaab required ongoing fighting.

"Together with Somalia and other international partners, we will continue to apply pressure on violent extremist organizations.

PRESSURE

"This pressure creates conditions and opportunities for further political and economic development," he said in Somalia on Wednesday, after meeting with local Prime Minister Hassan Khaire.

Townsend, the fifth commander for Africom since its formation in 2008, is the joint commander of the Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), the US military wing that coordinates the targeted attacks on ISIS in Syria and Iraq.


He took over from Mr. Thomas D Waldhauser, retired.



As Africom leader, Townsend will be accused of maintaining defense relations with the African Union and its member states, cooperating in operations against extremists in the Horn of Africa and in the Maghreb region.

But the biggest task is within Somalia itself, political and security reform must be carried out before 2021.

AFRICOM

Africom, which has a base in Djibouti routinely attacks the Shabaab base in Somalia, to support ground troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and the nascent Somali National Army. Africom said it has permission from Mogadishu for air strikes.

The US is also training Somali Special Forces known as Danab. According to Mr Townsend, al-Shabaab remains the largest and most deadly terror organization in East Africa despite showing signs of weakness.

"They are looking for loopholes and opportunities to hurt. If they can attack US and homeland interests, they will. We cannot give them a chance. "We have to deny them that opportunity," Townsend said, according to comments made by Africom.

"Reducing the ability of terrorists operating here makes the whole region safer and prevents export to other places. This is important work for our country, Somalia and our allies. "

Somalia is currently reviewing the constitution with plans to elect one-person-one vote in 2021.

SELECTION REFORM

On Wednesday, the country launched a public awareness campaign to raise awareness about electoral reform. The campaign, however, was largely guarded by Amisom because of the lingering Shabaab threat.

Extremist groups have recently been mobilizing suicide missions.



It killed around 500 people in October 2007 in a truck bombing in Mogadishu.

In Kenya, they were responsible for the Dusit Hotel attack in which 20 people were killed. The hotel reopened last week.

Townsend said supporting security agents in Somalia would remain a US goal to ensure the SNA took over within two years.

"We invest in our partners, dedicating time, energy and commitment to ensure they are ready to face any challenges."