The
Government of Somalia has condemned the Friday morning attack on the El
Adde African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base terming it “heinous
and unforgiveable”.In a circular released to newsrooms on Saturday, the government stated that it recognises and appreciates the dear price that the people and the government of Kenya have paid in the fight to stablise their country.
“We especially recognise and share the painful loss of the people and Government of Kenya whose sons and daughters in uniform bravely came to return hope and stability to Somalia. We salute the KDF for their efforts and mourn their loss,” read the statement.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those courageous soldiers who paid the ultimate price protecting our innocent civilians and strengthening institutions as well as safeguarding our progress against the evil that is terrorism. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and nor will it be in vain.”
President Mohamoud’s government also stated that despite the gruesome attack on the AMISOM forces, they will not relent in the fight against the militant terror group. Instead, the state promised that they would fight with renewed resolves so that the sacrifice of the slain soldiers will not be in vain.
“Through the continuing concerted and valiant efforts of AMISOM and the Somali National Army, we will ensure the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters will not be in vain. We will defeat Al Shabaab and make Somalia and the entire region safe and prosperous for all our brotherly people.”
Concluding their statement, the state hit out at terror cells operating in the region calling their acts “the cowardly and criminal”, adding that such groups are hiding behind “a bankrupted and fraudulent interpretation” of Islam.
At about 4:00am on Friday morning, Al Shabaab militants overran an AMISOM base in Somalia killing an unconfirmed number of soldiers.
President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed that some members of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) lost their lives in the Al Shabaab raid, adding that he mourns with the families of the slain army officers.
“Regrettably, some of our patriots in uniform paid the ultimate price. It is heart-breaking. I want to take this opportunity to express mine and the country’s deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the fallen. I stand with you. Our country stands with you,” said Kenyatta.
The Head of State, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Kenya’s armed forces, said that the army will stay put in Somalia.
“We will not be cowed by these cowards. With our allies, we will continue in Somalia to fulfill our mission,” affirmed Kenyatta.
The KDF soldiers who were slain are a part of AMISOM, a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations.
AMISOM, whose main mandate is to reduce the threat posed by Al Shabaab, has several bases across Somalia, and they have been in existence since January 2007.