African Union Condemns “cowardly” Killing of African Union Peacekeeper in Somalia

The African Union (AU) Commission on Friday condemned the killing of one of its troops under the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in the capital, Mogadishu. The peacekeeper died Friday after he was blown up by a roadside bomb in Mogadishu.

“The African Union has today lost one of its peacekeepers through an explosion of anti-personnel mine planted and triggered by insurgent elements opposed to peace and stability in Somalia,” the AU statement said.

According to the AU statement, the peacekeeper was killed while on a routine road sweeping check for explosive devices.

“The African Union unequivocally condemns this cowardly and barbaric act perpetrated against an AMISOM peacekeeper deployed in Mogadishu to protect and safeguard Somali lives,” the AU added.

The Commission indicated that this act, aimed at undermining the peace process in Somalia, will not deter the African Union, the people of Somalia and the United Nations in their determination and commitment to intensify their efforts towards peace and stability, in line with the recently concluded agreement in Djibouti.

However, while the AU statement did not mention the name or nationality of the dead peacekeeper, sources say that he is a Ugandan.

The AU deployed around 2,600 Ugandan and Burundi troops as part of its peace making efforts in Somalia in 2007. However, the AU is still calling on member states to contribute more troops for mission. It has the objective of deploying around 8,000 peacekeepers in Somalia.

Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi are other countries that have pledged in 2007 to send their troops under AMISOM. However, they are still unable to do so due to some political and financial issues.

Source African Press Agency

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