While visiting the frontlines of the battle in Dayniile where recently the government forces backed by AMISOM engaged fierce fighting, the president of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed gave the following speech:
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| President of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed |
First, I would like to express my gratitude and happiness with the success of the Somali National Army and the AMISOM forces in making tangible gains in the battle against the insurgents. Actually things were a lot different a month ago. We thank Allah for that. These progresses were attained after blood and sweat we shed by the gallant AMISOM and Somali forces. This was done in order to free Somalia from the jaws of Al-shabab. What we are striving for here is the attainment of total peace and sovereignty in Somalia which is objected by the insurgents.
Our joint forces are not only in Mogadishu, but we also have presence in Gedo and Juba regions. There are other operations which are going on in the Juba regions which I would like to shed more light on. As you remember when the government was formed, we asked our neighbouring countries particularly Kenya to help us in training our soldiers. They willingly accepted and our soldiers were trained. This was solely meant for the stabilization and bringing peace in the country.
We are thankful to Kenya government for their training and logistical supports but there are other things which we disapprove. We talked to Kenya government about this issue. We disapprove the entering of the Kenyan forces into Somalia. The Somali people do not allow that neither does our government.
The presence of the AMISOM is with the acceptance of the Somali government as well as the Somali people and at the same time the approval of the international community like the UN in its mandate, AU and the regional actors like IGAD. They are not here by chance and by mistake.
We talked to Kenya and specified the help they should give us which is the provision of logistical support and training. Our soldiers are fit and able to carry out operations on their own to flush out Al-shabab.
We are sorry that the Al-shabab and Al-Qaeda have targeted Kenya. We need Kenya’s cooperation on security matters but not incursion into the country without the government’s approval. Kenya should respect the neighbourliness we have with her so that we work together in the stability and safety of the region. It should refrain from anything that would blur and distort the relationship with us.
We are ready to cooperate with Kenya in every aspect. Kenya has been helping us for 21 years which it should take the credit for that. We have never complained about Kenya since time immemorial but this issue has raised eyebrows and we urge Kenya to abstain from any actions that can jeopardise its relationship with us.
On the other hand, there is news that has been propagated by the Al-shabab. We actually know that there are casualties in the line of the Burundi forces. The insurgents claim they have killed over 70 Burundians but we know that is not true. Our brothers have lost 10 soldiers and dozens of others were wounded. Some of their dead were put into AMISOM clothes and they claimed they are Burundians. It’s pathetic!
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