Al-Shabaab Banned in UK

According to a recent Economist article, "Alan Johnson bans Somali 'terrorist' group Al-Shabaab," the Home Secretary of the UK has officially designated Al-Shabaab a terrorist group and has banned it in the UK. Al-Shabaab is a radical Islamic organization based in Somalia, where it has considerable influence. The UK ban is in response to a statement by the group that linked it with Al-Qaeda.

"Banning" Al-Shabaab makes it illegal for the group to openly operate in the UK. It also makes it illegal for UK citizens to become members.

Alan Johnson recently banned another Muslim group, Islam4UK, which was trying to march through Wootton Bassett Wiltshire.

The article is important because it highlights social cleavages in the UK. Politics in the UK are strongly anti-immigration, and there are racial overtones to the rhetoric used by British politicians. Al-Shabaab is clearly a terrorist organization, and warrants the ban. However, there seems to be a general distrust of minorities, particularly Muslims, in the UK.

The article also demonstrates a piece of UK foreign policy. Al-Shabaab is extremely influential in Southern Somalia. By banning the group in the UK, Mr. Johnson is sending a message to Somalia as a whole.

Photo Courtesy of the Economist

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