Ahmed Abdi Godane

Ahmed Abdi Godane (10 July 1977 – 1 September 2014), also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, was a Somali militant leader who served as the second emir of al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group based in Somalia. Godane, who received training and fought in Afghanistan, was designated by the United States as a terrorist. The exact date of Godane's rise to al-Shabaab's Emir is debated, although it seems he ascended to this position in December 2007.

During his leadership of Al-Shabaab, the group pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda. He was killed in a U.S. drone strike on 1 September 2014 in southern Somalia. He hailed from the Arap subclan of the greater Isaaq clan.

While in Somaliland, Godane landed a high-profile job as a salesman in al-Barakat, a Somali remittance company. Godane also began taking part in religious debates about Salafism and started to express criticism towards the Somaliland administration, deeming it "un-Islamic." He then attempted to establish his own jihadist organization in Somaliland, but the environment proved to be extremely unfriendly and resistant to his efforts.

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.

Al-Shabaab Rise to Power After the Ethiopian invasion toppled the ICU from power in 2006, Godane was one of the al-Shabaab 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-Shabaab'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.

Following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in 2009, al-Shabaab 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.

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". For his allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the U.S. government announced a $7 million bounty for information leading to Godane's capture.

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.

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. 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.

On 2 September 2014, al-Shabaab confirmed that Godane was travelling in one of two vehicles hit by a U.S. AGM-114 Hellfire missile strike the previous day. It was not immediately confirmed if Godane himself was among the six militants killed. The vehicles were heading toward the coastal town of Barawe, al-Shabaab's main base. On 5 September 2014, the Pentagon confirmed during the 2014 NATO summit in Wales that Godane had been killed in the attack. On 6 September 2014, al-Shabaab officially confirmed Godane's death and announced Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah as his successor.

On the 26th June 2017, Al-Shabaab published a documentary on Godane, titled 'The March of Steadfastness of Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair' (Arabic: 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.