Mogadishu, QN - The Somalia government called the African Union to withdraw its Kenyan contingent from AMSIOM and replace it with a more neutral contingent from a third country after the Kenyans were accused of joining clan fighting that killed dozens of innocent civilians.
A press statement released by the ministry for information the Somalia government stated that it regrets the national loss of the three days fighting in, which Kenyan forces participated in conflict with the AMISOM mandate and the government called for the replacement of AMISOM Sector 2 forces from Kenya and deployment “a more neutral African Union force" from third country.
At a press conference in Mogadishu the assistant Minister of information Abdishakur Ali Mire accused Kenyan forces ofviolation of AMISOM mandate. The Kenyan forces joined the Kismayo fighting to suport Raskamboni fighters of Ahmed Madobe that fought against pro-government militia of warlord Barre Hiiraale.
"AMSIOM forces in sector 2 sided with one faction of the Kismayo fighting in violation of their mandate, they purposefully arrested and mistreated the commander of the Somali National Army's division 43 Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gurey in the region" the Mire.
“We are also informed that there was a targeted offensive against civilians and the SNA command center in Kismayo by the AMISOM Sector 2 forces, which is unfortunate.” He added.
The Somalia government urged all stakeholders to consider the following steps crucial to end hostility and stabilise the region.
1. The immediate replacement of AMISOM Sector 2 forces from Kenya to a more neutral African Union force.
2. The establishment and the dispatch of a fact finding mission to assess the situation in Kismayo.
3. Called upon the immediate release of Col. Abbas Ibrahim Gurey to resume his military duty in the region.
4. To appoint African Union Political Officer to the region not part of AMISOM Sector 2 forces.
5. Called for humanitarian intervention to prevent crisis and assist the civilian victims in Kismayo.
The statement may undermine the diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenyan, which was stained by the acts of the Kenyan forces in the Southern port town of Kismayo.
This is the first time the Somalia government directly calling the African Union to change part of its forces in Somalia, which consists of 17000 forces from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Kenya.
Contact Qalin: news@qalin.net
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Somalia: The government requests AU to withdraw its Kenyan contingent from Somalia
Mogadishu, QN - The Somalia government called the African Union to withdraw its Kenyan contingent from AMSIOM and replace it with a more neutral contingent from a third country after the Kenyans were accused of joining clan fighting that killed dozen