Ethiopia Downplays Recruitment Concerns Amid Al-Shabaab and ISIS Threat

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought to address concerns over the recruitment of Ethiopian nationals by militant groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS, downplaying the issue by emphasizing the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism measures.

Nebiyu Tedla, the ministry spokesperson, while speaking to VOA acknowledged that while the recruitment of Ethiopian citizens by these groups is a concern, Ethiopia’s security and intelligence operations are successfully managing the threat. “Al-Shabaab remains a serious threat to regional stability,” Tedla stated, highlighting the group’s impact on the Horn of Africa.“The terrorist organization Al-Shabaab poses a serious and ongoing threat to the security and stability of the wider Horn of Africa and East African region,” Tedla told VOA.

The Ethiopian government has credited its proactive surveillance, intelligence operations, and cooperation with regional partners as key factors in controlling the situation. Tedla also noted the role of Ethiopian troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in countering the expansion and recruitment efforts of these extremist organizations.

Recent developments in Puntland have raised alarms about militant activities. On July 24, security forces in Puntland captured an ISIS militant from Zanzibar who had reportedly fought alongside Al-Shabaab and other international militants. Additionally, Puntland courts have sentenced several foreign nationals, including Ethiopians , for their involvement with militant groups.

Tedla emphasized that Ethiopia’s security forces are actively working to prevent any potential threats from these groups, both within its borders and in regions controlled by the ATMIS-Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in Somalia.