Ahmed Abdi Godane

Ahmed Abdi Godane أحمد عبدي جودان
Godane in an al-Shabaab propaganda video released in 2017
Born	(1977-07-10)10 July 1977 Hargeisa, Somalia (present-day Somaliland)
Died	1 September 2014(2014-09-01) (aged 37) near Barawa, Somalia
Cause of death	U.S. Drone Strike
Known for	Emir of Al-Shabaab
Military career
Allegiance	Islamic Courts Union (2002–2007) Al-Qaeda Al-Shabaab (2007–2014)
Years of service	2002–2014
Rank	Emir of al-Shabaab[1]
Battles/wars	Somali Civil War War in Somalia

Ahmed Abdi Godane (

Ahmed Abdi Godane was born in Hargeisa, Somaliland on 10 July 1977.^[6] He hailed from the Arap subclan of the greater Isaaq clan.^[2] According to some reports he apparently had a difficult childhood and was said to have spent time at an orphanage. His initial education was at the Umar bin al-Khattab Islamic school in Hargeisa where he reportedly excelled academically. He won scholarships to pursue studies in Sudan and Pakistan, subsequently enrolling in a madrassa in Pakistan with financial support from affluent Saudis. It was during his travels abroad that he is believed to have been attracted to militant Islamism. Godane is believed to have journeyed to Afghanistan in 1998, where he received military training and battlefield experience alongside the Taliban. During this time, he formed a friendship with Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad, also known as Ibrahim al-Afghani. In 2001, he subsequently returned to Somaliland.^[7]

While in Somaliland, Godane landed a high-profile job as a salesman in

In 2002, Godane and al-Afghani moved to Ethiopia's Ogaden region with the intention of establishing a new jihadist group. During their time there, Godane and his fighters staged an ambush on a convoy of drug traffickers returning from Somaliland to Ethiopia, resulting in the deaths of the traffickers and the seizure of approximately $1 million in the heist. Ethiopian authorities apprehended most of the assailants, but Godane and al-Afghani managed to evade capture and within a couple months fled to southern Somalia, where the absence of a functional government was conducive to their activities.^[9]

Islamic Courts Union

Using the money acquired from their heist, Godane and al-Afghani managed to infiltrate the Islamic courts. By 2005, Godane began forging close relationships with other leaders within the

On 24 September 2006, the ICU captured the important port city from Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale leader of the Juba Valley Alliance, a tribal dispute has taken place between Habar Gidir leaders of the al-Shabaab faction within ICU and the Ogaden clan Ras Kamboni Brigades led by Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki over the position of the military police leader. A compromise was reached where both groups agreed on appointing Ahmed Godane, an outsider who hails from the northern Arap clan as the head of military forces in the strategic city of Kismayo, Lower Juba.^[10]

Al-Shabaab

Rise to Power

After the Ethiopian invasion toppled the ICU from power in 2006, Godane was one of the al-Shabab leaders instrumental in reorganizing the group and laying the groundwork for the launch of its insurgency against the Ethiopian occupation. He was also at the forefront of delegitimizing Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after the latter was elected as the new president of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Godane, during his time as Emir, oversaw the rapid expansion of both al-Shabab's territorial control in southern and central Somalia as well as the organization of governing structures to exercise a degree of control over these newly acquired areas. Regional governors were appointed to oversee the implementation of the group's policies, programs, and edicts at the provincial (wilayat) level, with local administrators exercising authority at lower levels.^[11]

Following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in 2009, al-Shaabab was able to achieve relative stability in the areas under its control by implementing a strict interpretation of Sharia law, focusing on carrying out punishments for specific offenses such as murder, theft, robbery, adultery, fornication, and espionage. This stringent legal code had economic implications, leading to increased commerce and trade in areas under al-Shabab's influence, including major cities like Baidoa and Kismayo. Local insurgent authorities also initiated public works projects, including bridge and road construction, irrigation canal development, and famine relief distribution in 2011. Additionally, al-Shabab established a proficient and multi-lingual media network.^[11]

Godane rejected Somali nationalist goals as he believed that the group's effort in Somalia was a part of the global jihad led by al-Qaeda. In his first statement on June 2, 2008, as the head of al Shabaab, Godane pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden and vowed that his group would launch a direct attack against the United States. Godane continued to reject negotiations with what he called the "apostate government," arguing that the Somali Transitional Federal Government must either surrender or face destruction. "We tell the Mujahideen to not trust [negotiations], and they should know that it is the path which led those whom they are fighting today to apostasy," he said in an audio message released on jihadist forums on July 6, 2009.^[12][13]

In January 2010, Godane, speaking on behalf of Al-Shabaab, released a statement reiterating his support for al-Qaeda and stated that they had "agreed to join the international jihad of al Qaeda".^[14] For his allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the U.S. government announced a $7 million bounty for information leading to Godane's capture.^[7] In July 2010, Godane claimed responsibility for deadly twin bombings in Kampala, Uganda on behalf of al Shabaab. "Allah willing, we will take revenge for all who were martyred by AMISOM guns. What happened in Kampala is just the beginning and a prelude," he said.^[11][15]

Tensions within Al-Shabaab

Godane and his close friend Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad (aka Ibrahim Al-Afghani) both rose to prominence within Al-Shabaab at the same time but, despite their close relationship, the two men had widely divergent views on what the future of Al-Shabaab should be. This resulted in tensions within the organization and the alienation of many of Godane's oldest friends as it became apparent that Godane's agenda was transnational.^[16]

Godane faced internal criticism due to the failed "Ramadan Offensive" in August 2010, characterized by poorly planned mass infantry attacks in Mogadishu on SNA and AMISOM positions, causing significant insurgent casualties. Dissatisfaction within al-Shabab centered on control of the consultative council, with Godane stacking it with loyalists and sidelining critics like Robow and Hassan Dahir Aweys. Internal discord further exacerbated following the entry of Ethiopian military forces in south-western Somalia and when Kenyan forces invaded southern Somalia during Operation Linda Nchi in October and November 2011 respectively. Over time, as battlefield losses increased and al-Shabab suffered more defeats, old issues of contingency resurfaced, as did the discussion of the treatment of Muslims and disregard for Muslim casualties.^[11][15]

In mid-March 2012, a prominent American member of al-Shabab,

Godane and his loyalists were now firmly in control of al-Shabaab. His ascent to the peak of power was achieved through a gradual yet persistent consolidation of control within the group, strategic maneuvering to outshine rivals, and significant backing from key segments of al-Shabaab, notably the Amniyat network. A few months later, he achieved a significant media victory when al-Shabaab militants seized control of Nairobi's upscale Westgate Mall, confounding Kenyan security forces for several days. Godane claimed credit for the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya. He warned Kenya to prepare "for long-lasting war, blood, destruction and evacuation," stating that the attack was in retaliation for Kenya's 2011 invasion of Somalia. As Godane expanded al Shabaab's battlefield the group continued carrying out large-scale attacks within Mogadishu. This event highlighted the group's resilience and its capacity to continue major attacks in Mogadishu, indicating that the Godane-led al-Shabaab would remain a significant player in the country despite territorial losses and other setbacks experienced since the spring of 2011.^[15][11]

In May 2014, Godane delivered a speech lecturing on the suffering of Muslims in Kenya and throughout the world, "We advise the Muslims in different parts of the world who are suffering under the heel of the global Crusader against their Islam to pick up arms in order to defend their religion, honor and properties."^[15]

Death

On 1 September 2014, a U.S. drone strike carried out as part of the broader mission killed Al-Shabaab leader Godane.^[17] U.S. authorities hailed the raid as a major symbolic and operational loss for Al-Shabaab, and the Somali government offered a 45-day amnesty to all moderate members of the militant group. Political analysts also suggested that the insurgent commander's death will likely lead to Al-Shabaab's fragmentation and eventual dissolution.^[18]

On 2 September 2014, al-Shabaab confirmed that Godane was travelling in one of two vehicles hit by a U.S.

On the 26th June 2017, Al-Shabaab published a documentary on Godane, titled 'The March of Steadfastness of Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair' (Arabic: الوثائقي مسيرة الصمود الشيخ مختار أبو الزبير). The documentary includes interviews with prominent members of Al -Shabaab, such as Mahad Karate and Ali Mohamed Rage, well known as 'Ali Dheere'. The film also includes the only known video of Godane. ^[22][23]

References