Al-Shabaab leader's death 'a step toward peace'

The British Foreign Office says the death of Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane may have "seriously reduced" the group's capabilites and taken Somalia a step closer to peace.

His death means there is more of an opportunity to build enduring peace and stability in Somalia and to work with the people of the region who want nothing more than an end to fighting and bloodshed.

Experts have suggested there is no obvious successor to Godane as al-Shabab leader, raising the prospect that the group's capabilities could be seriously reduced.

– FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN