Sierra Leone takes precautions against al-Shabab

Freetown, Oct 12, 2013 (SDN) -Sierra Leone officials say they are bolstering security in response to the heightened threat posed by the Islamic extremist rebels of al-Shabab, expressing concern the West African nation could be targeted because of its support for peacekeeping operations in Somalia. Francis Munu, police inspector general, said at a meeting Wednesday that new security measures would require government offices to issue identity cards for their staff and maintain visitors’ logs, while petty traders would be kept away from government buildings. Sierra Leone deployed an 850-member battalion to the African Union mission in Somalia earlier this year.

The new measures are in response to al-Shabab’s attack on a Kenyan mall last month in retaliation for Kenya sending troops into Somalia nearly two years ago. The attack killed more than 60 people.

Source: AP