Terrorists ‘threatening Somalia’

MOGADISHU – The Somali president warned that ‘terrorists’ were threatening his shattered country’s security and slammed international donors for failing to help as promised, in an interview with AFP.

An Ethiopian-Somali offensive in Mogadishu last month ended weeks of clashes with Islamist-led insurgents that killed hundreds of civilians and forced tens of thousands to flee, but sporadic attacks are on the increase. “My government was battling terrorists who lost their strongholds militarily in Mogadishu, but they are still at large by hiding in the towns and villages,” Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed said late on Sunday at his official residence Villa Somalia, which has been a target of mortar attacks.”We don’t believe the threats of terrorists are over as some of them are abroad still planning to create havoc again,” he said.Four Ugandan peacekeepers from an African Union force were killed in a bomb attack on their convoy last week, and the prime minister and mayor of Mogadishu both escaped unharmed from roadside bomb attacks in recent days.Yusuf, who was elected president in 2004, also launched a scathing attack on international donors for failing to provide more help.”The outside world promised a reconstruction plan with a full package to develop the lives of Somalis in war-torn Somalia but efforts of the international community are confined to meagre humanitarian work,” he said.”The United States is appreciating our struggle against terrorism but did not give any tangible assistance to reconstruct a devastated nation.Even the UN is yet to take drastic action to assist to rebuild Somalia,” he added.The Somali president called for help to complete the African Union peacekeeping force struggling to carry out its remit.So far, some 1 500 Ugandan soldiers from a planned 8 000-strong force are in Mogadishu, but other countries which have promised troops, including Nigeria and Burundi, have yet to deploy forces.”The brotherly African countries that pledged troops are very ready to send contingents but they need logistic support, weapons and other financial support,” Yusuf said.Nampa-AFP”My government was battling terrorists who lost their strongholds militarily in Mogadishu, but they are still at large by hiding in the towns and villages,” Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed said late on Sunday at his official residence Villa Somalia, which has been a target of mortar attacks.”We don’t believe the threats of terrorists are over as some of them are abroad still planning to create havoc again,” he said.Four Ugandan peacekeepers from an African Union force were killed in a bomb attack on their convoy last week, and the prime minister and mayor of Mogadishu both escaped unharmed from roadside bomb attacks in recent days.Yusuf, who was elected president in 2004, also launched a scathing attack on international donors for failing to provide more help.”The outside world promised a reconstruction plan with a full package to develop the lives of Somalis in war-torn Somalia but efforts of the international community are confined to meagre humanitarian work,” he said.”The United States is appreciating our struggle against terrorism but did not give any tangible assistance to reconstruct a devastated nation.Even the UN is yet to take drastic action to assist to rebuild Somalia,” he added.The Somali president called for help to complete the African Union peacekeeping force struggling to carry out its remit.So far, some 1 500 Ugandan soldiers from a planned 8 000-strong force are in Mogadishu, but other countries which have promised troops, including Nigeria and Burundi, have yet to deploy forces.”The brotherly African countries that pledged troops are very ready to send contingents but they need logistic support, weapons and other financial support,” Yusuf said.Nampa-AFP