- Title: SOMALIA/KENYA: New Somali president condemns violence
- Date: 24th February 2009
- Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (FEBRUARY 23, 2009), (REUTERS) NICOLAS BWAKIRA SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION FOR SOMALIA ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITE(English) SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION FOR SOMALIA NICOLAS BWAKIRA, SAYING: "The chairperson of the Africa Union,
- Embargoed: 11th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVABVG7CIVY43FK5G8AVHY9XLT56
- Story Text: Somalia's new president visits Mogadishu a day after 11 Africa Union troops were killed as African Union says it remains resolute.
Somalia's new President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, arrived in the rubble-strewn city of Mogadishu Monday (February 23) and condemned the latest bloodshed in the capital.
His new prime minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the Western-educated son of a slain former president was also due in Mogadishu later on Monday.
Both men have been in neighbouring Djibouti picking a cabinet under U.N.-brokered efforts to form a unity government to end 18 years of conflict in the failed Horn of Africa state.
But as the president arrived, Somalia's hardline Islamist insurgent group al Shabaab pledged to launch more attacks on African Union (AU) peacekeepers after the deadliest strike yet killed at least 11 soldiers from Burundi.
After arriving at the airport, President Sheikh Sharif asked for tolerance and called on all Somalis to promote peace.
"We need to promote peace process, I am here to give my condolence to AMISOM peace keepers and the government of Burundi due to yesterdays attack, they are here to help Somali people, I am requesting all Somali's to promote peace, on the other hand you are well aware that Djibouti peace conference was concluded and new government was formed in addition AMISOM peace keepers are here to work with us about the outcome of Djibouti conference and see how peace can be restored," said Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.
The AU said its compound had been targeted by mortar bombs, not suicide bombers. It said 11 were killed and 15 injured.
Their biggest threat is from al Shabaab which, together with allied militia, controls large swathes of southern Somalia including the strategic towns of Baidoa and Kismayu.
The government controls only parts of Mogadishu.
In neighbouring Kenya, the AU special envoy to Somalia, Nicolas Bwakira, said AMISOM's current mandate was sufficient and condemned Monday's killings.
"The chairperson of the Africa Union, yesterday issued a press statement condemning in the strongest possible terms the barbaric acts of assassination which were committed against our AMISOM troops in Mogadishu yesterday which resulted in 11 deaths," said AU special representative Nicolas Bwakira.
Somali troops would be used for "peace-enforcement", he said.
Bwakira said the AU would also seek help from the international community in its efforts to deal with the lawless region saying that the organisation will not give in to lawlessness.
"We will not shy away because of acts of intimidation, or blackmail. I want to confirm that this is the position of the Africa Union," Bwakira added.
Two more battalions, one from Uganda and another from Burundi, are due to deploy within weeks, bringing the force to more than 5,000 -- but far short of its planned 8,000. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None