Al-Shabaab ‘on the run’, US, Somalia say at Africa Summit

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told leaders at the ongoing US-Africa summit in Washington that the war against Al-Shabaab is on course.

“The geographical control of Al-Shabaab is shrinking very fast,” President Mohamud said.

Addressing journalists at a separate briefing at the summit, the assistant US secretary of State for political-military affairs, Tom Kelly, said: “Al-Shabaab is on the run, thanks to the efforts of Amisom and the Somalia national army.”

Mr Kelly specifically praised Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti for their contributions to the Africa Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom).

He said Somalia presents a good-news story.

ATTACKS ‘REFLECT WEAKNESS’

“Recent terror activity in Kenya and Djibouti is a reflection of weakness, not strength,” he added.

He said the US has given Amisom more than $500million since the start of the war against Al-Shabaab in 2007.

Somalia’s national army received $173 million in aid from the US in the same period.

Mr Kelley said US Special Forces have been operating in Somalia for a number of years to enhance the capability of Somali national forces to fight Al-Shabaab.

The assistant Secretary of State also enumerated several forms of security assistance that the US provides to Kenya.

“We understand the challenge Kenya is facing as one of the primary victims of Al-Shabaab terrorism. We plan to continue to work very closely with them to help them win that battle,” he said.

The Daily Nation

UM– USEKE.RW