Al-Shabaab - Internal Rift

Internal Rift

In response to Godane's announced name change and merger with al-Qaeda, all other Shabaab top leaders called a conference in Baidabo. They refused to adopt the new name (al-Qaeda in East Africa) and they agreed on a new policy, focusing entirely on domestic issues. No mention any more of any international struggle. One significant policy, is to form a national, independent Shuria of Islamic clerics, which means also independent of Al-Qaeda. With it, they seem to try to remove some obstacles for reaching an entente with their Sufi opponents, and to avoid getting targeted by US drones. Aways later declared that:"Al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda are merely a small part of the larger Islamic group and al-Qaeda's ideology should not be viewed as the sole, righteous path for Islam."

This open revolt against Al-Qaeda makes it more likely that Al Shabaab slowly becomes ready for some sort of negotiated entente. At February 23, 2012, while Shabaab was pushed out of several strongholds, Radio Magadishu reported that 120 Al-Qaeda leaders and followers have fled from Kismayo to Yemen. Aways was appointed military commander of Kismayo and the south.