Somali government regrets Kismayo violence and calls for the replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to a more neutral force
Mogadishu July 01, 2013… His Excellency, Deputy Minister for Information, Telecommunication and Postal Services Abdishakur Ali Mire today stated that the Somali Federal Government regrets the national loss of the three days fighting in Kismayo and called for the replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to what the minister described “a more neutral African Union force.”
At a press conference in Mogadishu Minister Abdishakur expressed that the AMISOM Section Two forces supported one side of the two fighting functions in violation of their mandate. He also informed the press that Kenyan forces arrested and mistreated top Somali National Army military commander.
“AMISOM Section Two forces purposefully arrested government appointed division 43 SNA commander, Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gurey,” Abdishakur Mire said. “We are also informed that there was a targeted offensive against civilians and the SNA command center in Kismayo by the AMISOM Section Two forces, which is unfortunate.”
Minister urged all stakeholders to consider the following steps crucial to end hostility and stabilise the region.
- The immediate replacement of AMISOM Section Two forces to a more neutral African Union force.
- The establishment and the dispatch of a fact finding mission to assess the situation in Kismayo.
- Called upon the immediate release of Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gure to resume his military duty in the region.
- The appointment of African Union Political Officer to the region not part of AMISOM Section Two.
- Called for humanitarian intervention to prevent crisis and assist the civilian victims in Kismayo.
ENDS
Ahmed Adan
Prime Minister’s Media Office
Mogadishu, Somalia